under order of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under order of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is acting based on a command or directive from an authority figure or organization. Example: "The shipment was delayed under order of the regulatory agency due to safety concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

By the mid-11th century the church had successfully repressed the heretics, burning a dozen or so at Orléans under order of the king.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In October of that year, under order of the president, Bork fired Cox, who had been appointed to investigate the Watergate scandal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wise believes the plane flew north to Kazakhstan, and was hijacked under order of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Huffington Post

Eighty years ago, the police chief on the Caughnawaga reserve across the St . Lawrenceriver from Montreal spent weeks supervising the picking, carting, and burning of 3,500 pounds of pot under order of the Department of Indian Affairs.

Vice

In the course of settling that estate, The Agreement was signed on November 23 , 1948 by the estate's two executors, Harold S. Miller and Harold W. Steeper, and by Smithsonian Secretary Alexander Wetmore, under order of Judge Love of Dayton, Ohio.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They did so under orders of the stable-master, who faces a separate trial.

The Economist

Turkey's State Supervisory Board, acting under orders of the current president, recently decided to find out.

The New York Times

Mr. Constantin was one of 25,000 Gypsies deported from this country under orders of Marshal Ion Antonescu, who was supported by Nazi Germany.

The New York Times

It originated in 1783, when Eusebio Vidal, acting under orders of the viceroy, Don Juan José de Vertíz, organized the San José district, naming it for the river that ran through the territory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under orders of the Comintern, Nosaka went to the United States twice in the 1930s to do underground work such as smuggling Communist tracts into Japan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He has been voluntarily taking medication since July; for months before that, he was medicated by force, under orders of the Bureau of Prisons, Judge Burns said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under order of", clearly specify the authority or entity issuing the order to provide context and clarity. For instance, instead of saying "actions were taken under order of", state "actions were taken "under order of" the CEO".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "under order of" without specifying who issued the order. Always include the source of the order to avoid ambiguity. For example, clarify "under whose order" the action was taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under order of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that an action or state is occurring because of a command or instruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase establishes a causal relationship between the order and the action taken.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under order of" is used to indicate that an action was performed due to a command or instruction from an authority. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It appears most frequently in news and encyclopedia contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you specify the source of the order to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "by command of" or "on the instructions of". While grammatically sound, its rarity suggests considering context-appropriate synonyms for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following the orders of

Emphasizes obedience and adherence to a set of commands.

by command of

Specifies direct authority, emphasizing the source of the instruction.

on the instructions of

Highlights that actions are being guided by specific instructions from someone.

as instructed by

Directly points out that someone is following specific guidance.

pursuant to the directive of

Implies adherence to a formal or official guideline.

at the direction of

Focuses on the guidance provided by a superior or authority.

under the direction of

This highlights the supervisory aspect of the order, where someone is actively overseeing the action.

at the behest of

Suggests a request or urging that carries the force of a command.

by authorization of

Indicates that the action has been officially sanctioned or approved.

acting on the mandate of

Specifies a formal or legal basis for the action being taken.

FAQs

How can I use "under order of" in a sentence?

Use "under order of" to indicate that an action was performed because someone was instructed or commanded to do it. For example: "The documents were released "under order of" the court."

What's a formal alternative to "under order of"?

A more formal alternative is "pursuant to the directive of", which suggests compliance with an official command or guideline.

Is "under order from" grammatically correct instead of "under order of"?

While "under order from" can be understood, "under order of" is the more established and grammatically preferred construction.

What does it mean to act "under order of" someone?

Acting "under order of" someone means that you are performing a task or action because you have been instructed or commanded to do so by that person or entity. It implies a hierarchical relationship or a situation of authority.