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Prepositions after verbs

Order by vs. order from

Order from is common when naming a supplier or restaurant. Order by has different meanings, especially for methods or arrangement.

Quick answer

Choosing by or from

Use order from to say who supplies something: order from a shop. Use order by for methods such as order by phone or for arranging items by category.

We ordered from a local bakery
You can order by phone
The files are ordered by date

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
order from + supplier

Naming the company or person supplying something

From identifies the source of goods or services.

She ordered from an online store
We ordered from the new menu
2
order by + method

Showing how an order is placed

By introduces the method or communication channel.

Customers can order by email
You may order by phone
3
order by + category

Arranging things according to a system

Order by is also used when sorting or organising items.

The results are ordered by relevance
Please order the books by author
4
order + item

Using order without a preposition

Order directly takes the thing requested.

I ordered a coffee
They ordered extra supplies

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
order by
You can order by phone.
By shows method or system of arrangement.
order from
We ordered from a family-owned restaurant.
From identifies the supplier or source.
order through
She ordered through the app.
Through highlights an intermediary service or channel.
order online
Many customers order online.
No preposition is needed before online in this expression.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using by for the supplier

By does not usually identify the company providing the goods.

✕ We ordered by the restaurant. ✓ We ordered from the restaurant.

Using from for communication method

From is not used for the method of placing an order.

✕ You can order from phone. ✓ You can order by phone.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Order can directly take the item requested.

✕ She ordered for a sandwich. ✓ She ordered a sandwich.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We ordered dinner ___ the new Italian restaurant.
2. Customers may order ___ phone.
3. The products are ordered ___ price.

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Frequently asked questions

Is order from correct for restaurants?

Yes. Use order from to name the restaurant or supplier.

What does order by mean in databases or lists?

It means arrange items according to a category such as name, date, or price.

Can I say order online?

Yes. Online usually appears without a preposition after order.

oblige-to-by-with-in, for obscure by, for, from, in or to? observe in, by, on, with or for? "obsess about" or "obsess over"? "obtain from" or "obtain by"? occupy by, with, in, for or at? occur in, to, at, on or during? offend by, at, in, against or with? "offer by" or "offer to"? offset by, from, with, for or against? "omit from" or "omit by"? "open in" or "open to"?

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