Meaning & use
command
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
An order given by someone with authority that must be obeyed.
Grammar: Countable and often followed by to plus a verb: a command to stop.
Patterns
- a command to do something
- obey a command
The dog sat on command.
The captain gave the command to fire.
She ignored the command to stay in her seat.
noununcountable
Control or authority over a group, especially an armed force.
Grammar: Usually uncountable; often used with in or under: in command, under his command.
Patterns
- in command of something
- under someone's command
General Lee took command of the army.
The ship was under her command.
Who is in command here?
nounsingular
A very good knowledge or ability in a subject, especially a language.
Grammar: Usually singular with of: a good command of French.
Patterns
- a command of something
She has an excellent command of English.
His command of the subject impressed the examiners.
The author shows a confident command of detail.
nouncountablecomputing
An instruction given to a computer to carry out an action.
Grammar: Countable in computing: type a command.
Patterns
- enter a command
Type the command and press Enter.
The software accepts voice commands.
A single command can delete every file.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To give an order, or to have authority over people or forces.
Grammar: Often takes an object and to plus a verb: she commanded him to leave.
Patterns
- command someone to do something
- command a unit
The officer commanded the troops to retreat.
She commands a fleet of twelve ships.
The judge commanded silence in the court.
verbtransitive
To earn or deserve something such as respect or a high price.
Grammar: Takes an object like respect or attention: command a high fee.
Patterns
- command respect
- command a price
Her calm voice commands respect.
Rare stamps command high prices.
The speaker commanded the attention of the room.
Word forms
| third person singular | commands |
|---|---|
| past tense | commanded |
| past participle | commanded |
| -ing form | commanding |
| plural | commands |
Common combinations
- in command
- The sergeant was in command of the squad.
- under command
- The unit fought under the command of a colonel.
- command respect
- A good teacher commands respect without shouting.
- a good command of
- He has a good command of Spanish.
- command line
- Developers often work in the command line.
Synonyms and how they differ
- order
- Order is the everyday word, while command sounds more forceful and formal.
- instruction
- An instruction explains how to do something and is less strict than a command.
- mastery
- Mastery fits the skill sense but implies being an expert.
- control
- Control is broader and does not require giving formal orders.
Opposites
Word family
- commander noun
- a person in charge of a force
- commanding adjective
- having authority or a strong position
- commandment noun
- a religious rule
- commandeer verb
- to take something for official or military use
- commando noun
- a soldier in a small special force
Commonly confused: command or demand? command or commend?
command vs demand
A demand is a strong request, often from someone without authority, while a command is an order from someone with it.
command vs commend
Commend means to praise, which is unrelated to giving orders.
Practice
She has an excellent ___ of three languages.
Choose one answer.
A command of a language means strong mastery of it. Demand and order do not fit this pattern, and control does not collocate with of in this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “command”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.