to restore order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to restore order' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of returning a chaotic or disordered situation to a more stable or organized one. For example, "The government was determined to restore order to the city after the devastating earthquake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cabrera tried to restore order.

The New Yorker

"They want to restore order.

The Economist

A policeman had to restore order.

The New Yorker

Germany tried to restore order.

The Guardian - Sport

So who better to restore "Order!

The Guardian - Opinion

But pressures to restore order are mounting.

The New York Times

It took stadium security officers nine minutes to restore order.

The New York Times - Sports

Court officers quickly stepped in to restore order.

The New York Times

Large numbers of stewards struggled to restore order.

The New York Times - Sports

The riot police were called to restore order.

The New York Times

Prayuth has justified the coup as necessary to restore order.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about conflict resolution or crisis management, use "to restore order" to clearly convey the intention of returning a situation to a stable, controlled state.

Common error

Avoid using "to restore order" interchangeably with phrases like "to control the situation" or "to maintain peace", as "to restore order" specifically implies a return from a state of disorder, not just general management.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to restore order" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically follows a verb of action, indicating the aim or intention behind that action. Ludwig AI's analysis and the numerous examples confirm its role in describing the goal of returning a situation to a stable state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to restore order" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that conveys the purpose of returning a situation from chaos to stability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While it's generally neutral in tone, it leans towards a professional register and implies a reactive approach to disrupted situations. When using this phrase, remember that it specifically denotes a return from disorder, distinguishing it from general control or maintenance of peace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to stabilize the situation

Focuses on making something stable, which is a similar but broader concept than order.

to re-establish control

Focuses on regaining control rather than specifically addressing disorder.

to bring back stability

Emphasis on bringing back the general state of stability instead of just order.

to bring stability back

Emphasizes the return of stability, which is a broader concept than just order.

to normalize conditions

Focuses on returning conditions to a normal state which may not be related strictly to order.

to return things to normal

Suggests a return to a pre-existing state, which may not necessarily be orderly.

to quell the chaos

Focuses on suppressing chaos, implying a more turbulent situation.

to enforce the rules

Highlights the act of implementing rules, rather than fixing disorder.

to regain command

Emphasizes re-acquiring authority, not necessarily fixing chaos.

to set things straight

A more informal way of saying to correct or fix problems, not strictly about order.

FAQs

How can I use "to restore order" in a sentence?

You can use "to restore order" to describe actions taken after a disruption, such as "The police were called "to restore order" after the protest turned violent".

What are some alternatives to "to restore order"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to re-establish control", "to bring stability back", or "to stabilize the situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "to restore the order" instead of "to restore order"?

While grammatically possible in certain contexts, "to restore the order" implies a specific, previously existing order. "To restore order" is more general and common, referring to establishing order where there was none or returning to a state of order.

What's the difference between "to restore order" and "to maintain order"?

"To maintain order" implies keeping an existing state of order, while "to restore order" suggests bringing back order after it has been disrupted. One is preventative, the other is reactive.