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Prepositions before and after nouns

“In order” or “of order”?

In order is a standard English expression meaning organised or correct. Of order is not used as a fixed phrase in modern English.

Quick answer

The standard expression

Use in order to mean organised, correct, or properly arranged. English also uses out of order for something broken or incorrect. Of order is not a standard standalone phrase.

Everything is in order now.
The documents are in order for submission.
The lift is out of order today.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in order

Meaning organised or correct

Use in order when things are arranged properly or functioning correctly.

Please keep the files in order.
Her paperwork was in order before the interview.
2
in order to + verb

Expressing purpose

Use in order to before a verb to explain why something is done.

We left early in order to avoid traffic.
He studied daily in order to improve his writing.
3
out of order

Meaning broken or incorrect

Out of order is the opposite of in order.

The ticket machine is out of order.
His comments were out of order during the meeting.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in order
The schedule is in order.
Properly arranged or correct.
in order to
She trained hard in order to win.
Expresses purpose.
of order
The phrase “of order” alone is not idiomatic.
Not a standard fixed expression in modern English.
out of order
The printer is out of order.
Broken, unsuitable, or incorrect.

Common mistakes

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

Using “of order” instead of “in order”

English uses in order, not of order, for organisation or correctness.

✕ Everything is of order. ✓ Everything is in order.

Forgetting “to” after “in order” for purpose

Use in order to before a verb.

✕ We left early in order avoid traffic. ✓ We left early in order to avoid traffic.

Confusing “in order” with “on time”

In order means organised or correct, not punctual.

✓ The files are in order.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please make sure the records are ___.
2. We saved money ___ buy a new car.
3. The coffee machine is ___.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “of order” correct English?

Not as a standard fixed phrase. English normally uses in order or out of order.

What does “in order” mean?

It usually means organised, correct, or properly arranged.

Can “in order to” start a sentence?

Yes. For example: “In order to save time, we booked online.”

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? in, at, on, of or to hand? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"?

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