to be ordered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be ordered" can be used in written English.
It is a common structure in passive voice sentences where the subject is being acted upon by the verb. Here are some examples: 1. "The books were ordered by the librarian." 2. "The new furniture will be ordered next week." 3. "I need to be ordered more supplies for my business." 4. "The guests were pleasantly surprised by the delicious food that was ordered for the party." 5. "The medication needs to be ordered from the pharmacy." In these examples, "to be ordered" means to be requested, purchased or acquired for a specific purpose. It can also be used to mean to arrange or command something to be done or delivered.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Larger sums have to be ordered.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were burgers to be ordered.

The New York Times - Magazine

then at times pi will appear to be ordered.

The New Yorker

Regrettably, a sequel may now have to be ordered.

Independent

POONDU KOLAMBU is not a dish to be ordered lightly.

The New York Times - Food

"I will not allow it to be ordered.

The New York Times - Food

They had had to be ordered, paid for, delivered.

The Guardian - Film

It's nice to be ordered to become a rule-breaker.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's helpful to be ordered to do so".

The New Yorker

Supplies had to be ordered for the temporary trading room.

The New York Times

First, the forms of the sculpture tend to be ordered from the inside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be ordered", ensure the context clearly indicates who is placing the order or what is being ordered to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "to be ordered" if an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The supplies need to be ordered", consider "We need to order the supplies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be ordered" functions primarily as part of a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action, rather than the performer. Ludwig AI highlights its common use in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be ordered" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used in passive voice constructions to indicate that something needs to be requested or acquired. Ludwig AI provides ample evidence of its usage across various domains, particularly science and news media. While versatile, it's important to consider whether an active voice might be more direct in certain contexts. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for formal communications, and clarifying who is placing the order will improve the clarity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be requested

This alternative directly replaces "ordered" with "requested", emphasizing the act of asking for something.

to be commanded

Replaces "ordered" with "commanded", suggesting a more forceful instruction or directive.

to be arranged

Focuses on the act of making arrangements for something to happen or be provided.

to be requisitioned

Implies a formal request, often within an organizational or institutional context.

to be decreed

Suggests an official order or pronouncement has been issued.

to be instructed

Similar to 'commanded' but implies a teaching or guidance aspect to the order.

to be subpoenaed

Specifically relates to a legal order to appear or produce evidence.

to be scheduled

Focuses on setting a time or plan for something to occur.

to be obtained

Highlights the process of acquiring something, which might involve ordering.

to be acquired

Similar to 'obtained', but suggests a more formal or strategic acquisition.

FAQs

How can I use "to be ordered" in a sentence?

You can use "to be ordered" in passive constructions where something needs to be requested or commanded, such as, "The equipment needs "to be ordered" immediately".

What's a more direct alternative to "to be ordered"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include phrases like "to request", "to command", or "to arrange", which might provide a clearer and more active voice.

Is it always necessary to specify who is doing the ordering when using "to be ordered"?

While not always necessary, specifying who is responsible for the ordering can enhance clarity. If the actor is unknown or unimportant, the passive construction is appropriate; otherwise, consider an active voice.

What is the difference between "to be ordered" and "to be requested"?

"To be ordered" often implies a formal process or command structure, while "to be requested" suggests a simpler act of asking. The nuance depends on the specific context.