was ordered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was ordered" is a proper and commonly used part of a sentence in written English.
You can use "was ordered" to describe a past event where someone was instructed or directed to do something by someone else. This phrase is often used in formal or legal contexts. Example sentence: The defendant was ordered by the judge to pay restitution to the victim for damages caused by the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

after it was ordered.

The New Yorker

An investigation was ordered.

The New York Times

Expensive therapy was ordered.

The New York Times

Italian food was ordered.

The New York Times

Ferdinand was ordered and calm.

Independent

A CT scan was ordered.

The New York Times - Health

Perhaps he was ordered to.

The New Yorker

Dessert was ordered.

The New York Times - Magazine

A retrial was ordered.

The Guardian

"I was ordered off.

The Washington Post

Much was ordered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, prefer "was ordered" when conveying a sense of authority or official instruction. In more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "was asked" or "was requested" if the situation allows.

Common error

A common mistake is using "was ordered" with a plural subject. Remember that "was" is for singular subjects; use "were ordered" for plural subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was ordered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received an order or command. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used to describe directives given to individuals, investigations launched, and actions mandated by authorities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was ordered" serves as a passive voice construction used to indicate the reception of a directive or command. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its prevalence across various sources, including news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its adaptability in formal and neutral registers. While grammatically straightforward, attention should be given to maintaining subject-verb agreement (using "were" for plural subjects). Alternatives like "was instructed" or "was directed" can be used to convey similar meanings, with subtle differences in tone and emphasis. When using "was ordered", clarity is paramount—explicitly stating the order and the issuing authority enhances understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was directed

Uses "directed" instead of "ordered", highlighting guidance or routing rather than a strict order.

was instructed

Replaces "ordered" with "instructed", focusing on guidance or teaching rather than a direct command.

was instructed to

Adds "to" for greater clarity, specifying that someone received instructions for a subsequent action.

had been directed

Uses the past perfect passive form to emphasize the completion of the direction before a certain time.

was commanded

Substitutes "ordered" with "commanded", emphasizing a more authoritative and militaristic tone.

received orders to

Changes the structure to focus on receiving the orders, indicating the action triggered by the orders.

was under orders to

Emphasizes the constraint or obligation of following orders, indicating a formal obligation.

was authorized

Replaces "ordered" with "authorized", changing the nuance to permission or approval rather than a command.

was given the directive

Substitutes "ordered" with the longer phrase "given the directive", adding formality and emphasis.

was requested

Replaces "ordered" with "requested", softening the tone from a command to a polite request.

FAQs

How can I use "was ordered" in a sentence?

Use "was ordered" to indicate that someone received a directive or command in the past. For instance, "The soldier was ordered to advance" or "The investigation was ordered by the president."

What are some alternatives to "was ordered"?

Alternatives include "was instructed", "was commanded", or "was directed", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was ordered"?

Yes, "was ordered" is grammatically correct when used with a singular subject in the passive voice to indicate that an order was given to that subject.

What's the difference between "was ordered" and "was requested"?

"Was ordered" implies a command or directive, suggesting authority, while "was requested" indicates a polite request, suggesting a lack of authority.