they were ordered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were ordered" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when an authority figure has issued a command or instruction to someone else. For example: "The soldiers were ordered to move into position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were ordered to undergo psychiatric tests.

The New York Times

They were ordered freed on bail.

The New York Times

Accused of lying, they were ordered deported.

The New York Times

"Of course, they were ordered to attend".

The New York Times - Books

They were ordered to institute parental controls on their internet.

The Guardian

They were ordered to return to court in February.

The New York Times

They were ordered to surrender their guns and shields.

The New York Times

They were ordered to their knees and were killed.

The New York Times

They were ordered held for $175,000 bond or cash.

The New York Times

On average, they were ordered to pay £172.

The Guardian

Then they were ordered to return to the house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were ordered" when you want to emphasize the authority behind a command or instruction, creating a clear sense of obligation or consequence.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "they were ordered", as excessive use can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Sometimes, an active voice construction will be more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were ordered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of people received a command or instruction from an unspecified authority. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used to report actions taken under direction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were ordered" is a common passive voice construction used to indicate that a group received a command or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in news and media, highlighting its utility in reporting actions taken under instruction. While grammatically correct, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid overuse of the passive voice. Alternative phrases like "they were instructed" or "they were directed" can provide more formal or nuanced alternatives. Therefore, this phrase is useful in scenarios that you need to show an action or behavior was not voluntary but rather the result of an instruction or command.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were instructed

Replaces 'ordered' with 'instructed' to soften the tone.

they were commanded

Substitutes 'ordered' with 'commanded' to denote a stronger sense of authority.

they were directed

Uses 'directed' to convey guidance or instruction, rather than a strict command.

they were required

Indicates an obligation or necessity to perform an action.

they received instructions

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction focusing on the reception of instructions.

they were told

Simplifies the expression to a general statement of being informed to do something.

instructions were given to them

Transforms the sentence to emphasize the instructions rather than the action of ordering.

they were assigned

Suggests that they were given a specific task or duty.

they had a directive

Indicates that they possessed a formal or official instruction.

they were requested

Replaces a command with a polite request.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were ordered" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they were instructed" or "they were directed", which convey a similar meaning but with a slightly elevated level of formality.

Is "they were ordered" passive voice?

Yes, "they were ordered" is an example of passive voice. The subject "they" receives the action of being ordered, rather than performing it. An active version might be "Someone ordered them".

When is it appropriate to use "they were ordered"?

"They were ordered" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the command itself or the authority behind it, rather than who issued the order. It's common in formal writing, news reports, and situations where the source of the order is less important than the fact that it was given.

What's a more direct alternative to "they were ordered"?

A more direct alternative would be using the active voice, such as "Someone ordered them" or "The captain ordered them". This makes it clear who issued the command.