under his order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under his order" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to indicate that something is being done according to someone's command or directive, but it is more typical to use "by his order" instead. Example: "The troops were mobilized under his order to secure the area."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Under his order, the decree would be in effect for 45 days, ending just two weeks before the presidential election, which is scheduled for Nov. 29.

The New York Times

Under his order, Microsoft would be broken into separate companies, one for its Windows operating system and one for its other businesses.

The New York Times

Under his order, people convicted of nonviolent felonies will have their right to vote restored if they have completed their sentences, satisfied court-ordered conditions and have no pending felony charges.

The New York Times

Private dinner parties for Jeff Koons fall under his order, and the biggest galas in town, like those at La Fenice Opera House or Save Venice Inc., seem all the better because of his creative flair.

The New York Times

[Text, Page C12.] Under his order, Microsoft would be broken into separate and competing companies, one for its Windows operating system and one for its other computer programs and Internet businesses.

The New York Times

Under his order, Argentina, which says it is not obliged to pay investors who held out when it reorganised its debts, will until then be barred from making approaches to those bondholders who took part in the restructuring deals (the judge has asked the middlemen that sit between Argentina and those bondholders to stop aiding the country).

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed under his orders by his party's militiamen in the Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.

The Economist

Just last month, Sharif was charged with seven more of the Juárez murders — also carried out from jail under his orders, the accusation says.

The New Yorker

Sikowsky says he not only was a member of Al Capone's gang, but that Capone, Chicago hoodlum and vice racketeer, was under his orders.

The New York Times

And we'll put a team together under his orders.' And with time, if you chose well, you have a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Just last month, Sharif was charged with seven more of the Juárez murders also carried out from jail under his orders, the accusation says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using the more common and direct phrase "by his order" or "on his orders" for improved clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "The project was initiated under his order", say "The project was initiated by his order".

Common error

Avoid using "under his order" in casual conversation or informal writing. It tends to sound overly formal or stilted in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because he said so" or "as he asked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under his order" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the condition or authority under which an action is performed. It signifies that something is done due to someone's command or directive, aligning with examples shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

13%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under his order" is grammatically acceptable but not the most common way to express that something is done according to someone's command. Ludwig shows its usage is mostly confined to news and media, with a neutral to formal register. While understandable, consider alternatives like "by his order" or "on his orders" for greater clarity and impact. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase, while technically correct, is not the most typical choice, making it wise to consider context and audience when selecting this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by his order

This alternative replaces the preposition "under" with "by", resulting in a more direct and conventional expression of command.

on his orders

This phrase uses the preposition "on" to indicate that the action is carried out based on the instructions given.

at his direction

This alternative uses the noun "direction" to emphasize the guiding influence of the person in authority.

pursuant to his directive

Uses 'pursuant to' to formally indicate adherence to a directive, adding a legal or official tone.

according to his command

This option uses "command" to highlight the authoritative nature of the instruction.

as he instructed

This version uses a verb to indicate the act of giving instructions.

by his decree

This option uses "decree", implying a formal and authoritative order.

at his behest

This phrase uses "behest" to convey that the action is performed as a request or command.

by his authorization

This alternative emphasizes the permission granted by the person in authority.

as stipulated by him

Uses 'stipulated' to emphasize that something was specifically required or demanded by him.

FAQs

What does "under his order" mean?

The phrase "under his order" means that something is done according to someone's command or directive. It signifies that an action or decision is carried out because a person in authority has instructed it.

What are some alternatives to "under his order"?

You can use alternatives like "by his order", "on his orders", or "at his direction" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "under his order" or "by his order"?

While both are grammatically correct, "by his order" is generally considered more standard and direct. It is often preferred for its clarity and conciseness.

In what contexts is "under his order" most appropriate?

The phrase "under his order" can be used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or news reports, but is overall less common. It's useful when emphasizing that an action is specifically dictated by someone in a position of authority.