under the orders of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'under the orders of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a person is doing something because of instructions given by someone else. For example, "The construction workers carried out the renovation project under the orders of their supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

His killers operated under the orders of the country's interior minister.

The New Yorker

These purported to prove that Lenin was acting under the orders of the German general staff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It took four years to separate the 630 branches under the orders of the European commission.

The Guardian - Business

Wiki tells us that the historic lighthouse was built over 200 years ago, under the orders of George Washington.

The Guardian - Travel

The police shut down the celebration under the orders of Simon Lokodo, the Ethics and Integrity Minister.

The New Yorker

"For us, it is simply not true that we act under the orders of a foreign 'boss'".

The Guardian

"It was only under the orders of Chirac that we worked," Mr. Mery is quoted as saying.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

During the campaign, WikiLeaks published the hacked emails from senior Democratic officials that the intelligence community believe were stolen under the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vice

That was all before they ran into a ninja chef and somehow survived being shot at by machine guns under the orders of a 10-year-old prince.

Vice

"The Anouzla case shows that the judicial system is entirely under the orders of the monarchy.

The Guardian

Dennis said that if Andy Strassmeir wasn't involved, perhaps a crack team of Iraqi Republican Guards were, acting under the orders of Saddam Hussein.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the orders of", ensure the context clearly identifies who is giving the orders and who is carrying them out to avoid ambiguity. For instance: The troops moved forward under the orders of the general.

Common error

Avoid misusing "under the orders of" by ensuring that the subject performing the action aligns with the verb. For example, avoid saying: "Under the orders of the general, the plan was executed" Instead, say "Under the orders of the general, the troops executed the plan."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the orders of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adverb, or noun. It indicates that an action is carried out based on instructions given by someone in authority. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

23%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the orders of" is a versatile and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed due to someone else's command. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, it can adopt a more formal tone in specific settings like the military or legal domains. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is giving the orders and who is carrying them out. Remember to maintain correct subject-verb agreement to avoid common grammatical errors. Alternatives such as "on the command of" or "as instructed by" may be suitable depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the command of

More direct, emphasizes the authority giving the order.

as instructed by

Simple and direct, suitable for general use.

at the direction of

Slightly more formal, implies guidance or supervision.

by instruction of

Highlights the instructional aspect of the order.

on someone's authority

Focuses on who is responsible to give the order

acting on the authority of

Focuses on the legitimacy and power behind the order.

following directives from

Emphasizes a set of instructions or guidelines.

with the authorization of

Highlights the permission or approval aspect.

pursuant to the instructions of

Very formal and legalistic, used in official contexts.

subject to the control of

Indicates a hierarchical relationship and influence.

FAQs

How can I use "under the orders of" in a sentence?

Use "under the orders of" to indicate that someone is performing an action because they have been instructed or commanded to do so. For example: "The soldiers acted "under the orders of" their captain."

What are some alternatives to "under the orders of"?

Alternatives include "on the command of", "at the direction of", or "as instructed by". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "under the orders of" or "as instructed by"?

"Under the orders of" tends to be slightly more formal, often used in official or military contexts. "As instructed by" is more general and can be used in a wider range of situations.

What's the difference between "under the orders of" and "with the authorization of"?

"Under the orders of" implies a direct command or instruction, whereas "with the authorization of" suggests permission or approval to act. The former emphasizes obedience, while the latter highlights consent.