Cool MateCommand vs Injunction vs Order
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Command
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Injunction
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Order
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most formal: Injunction
| Command | Injunction | Order | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmɑːnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmænd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈdʒʌŋkʃən//🇺🇸 //ɪnˈdʒʌŋkʃən// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːdə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːrdər/"]/ |
| Meaning | An order to do something. | A legal order to stop someone from doing something. | To ask for something to be brought to you or to arrange things in a specific way. |
| Example | Her ability to command attention in the classroom is impressive. | The court issued an injunction to stop the construction immediately. | I would like to place an order for a pizza. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | basic, simple, carry out, obey, disobey, at somebody’s command, your wish is my command, spoken, verbal, voice, enter, type, use, line, prompt, complete, full, total, have, assume, take, centre/center, chair, deck, in command, in command of, under somebody’s command, the chain of command, the line of command, excellent, fluent, good, have, demonstrate, show, at your command, command of | file an injunction, violate an injunction, obtain an injunction, grant an injunction, issue an injunction | correct, proper, right, change, in order, in order of, out of order, apple-pie, bring, create, impose, in order, in good order, civil, public, keep, maintain, preserve, in order, out of order, law and order, a point of order, side, short, last orders, take, give somebody, order for, bulk, large, record, place, put in, send, form, book, on order, to order, order for, bulk, large, record, place, put in, send, form, book, on order, to order, order for, direct, specific, strict, give, issue, make, by order of, on somebody’s orders, under orders from, doctor’s orders, get your marching orders, give somebody their marching orders, established, existing, old, monastic, religious, contemplative |
| Antonyms | submission, compliance, inaction | - | disorder, chaos |
| Common mistakes | 'Command' is confused with 'demand' but is less aggressive., Learners often use 'command' without an object, forgetting it typically requires one., Mispronouncing 'command' as 'comand'. | Confused with 'interjection', which is unrelated., Used incorrectly as a verb; 'injunction' is a noun., Misunderstood as only a restriction; it can also allow certain actions. | Confused with 'order' as a noun vs verb., 'Ordered' is often mistakenly used instead of 'order' in commands., Saying 'make an order' instead of 'place an order'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'command' when giving direct instructions, especially in formal contexts like military or authority. Avoid in casual conversations where 'ask' or 'request' might be more appropriate. | Used mainly in legal contexts. It's formal and not suitable for casual conversations. Common in court or legal documents. | Use 'order' when asking for food, items, or services. In formal contexts like business, it may refer to placing a purchase. Avoid using it in casual conversation about personal choices. |
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Frequently asked questions: Command vs Injunction vs Order
What's the difference between Command, Injunction, and Order?
Command: An order to do something. Injunction: A legal order to stop someone from doing something. Order: To ask for something to be brought to you or to arrange things in a specific way.
Which is more formal: Command, Injunction, and Order?
Injunction is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Command, Injunction, and Order?
Command is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Command: Her ability to command attention in the classroom is impressive. Injunction: The court issued an injunction to stop the construction immediately. Order: I would like to place an order for a pizza.
Can I use Command, Injunction, and Order interchangeably?
Not always. Command, Injunction, and Order are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.