A2 noun #2,500 le plus courant 3 min de lecture

명령

myeongnyeong

A command is an order. If a teacher says 'Sit down!', that is a command. You must listen to it. It is a strong way to tell someone what to do.

When you are in command, you are the leader. You give orders to other people. For example, a police officer can give a command to stop your car.

The word command is used when someone with power gives an instruction. It is more serious than a request. You might hear it in movies about the army or the navy.

Command implies authority. It is used in professional contexts to describe someone who has control over a situation or a group of people. It is also used in technology for instructions given to software.

Beyond its literal meaning, command can describe a person's mastery over a subject, such as 'a command of the English language.' It suggests a deep, authoritative grasp of a skill or field of study.

Historically rooted in Latin, command denotes the exercise of absolute authority. In literary contexts, it can describe the imposing presence of a leader or the inherent power of nature. It signifies not just an order, but the weight of the person issuing it.

명령 en 30 secondes

  • A command is an authoritative order.
  • It is used in military, tech, and professional settings.
  • It can also mean a mastery of a skill.
  • It is a formal word that implies power and control.

When you hear the word command, think of someone in charge giving a clear, direct instruction. It isn't a suggestion; it is a firm expectation that you will do what is asked. Whether it is a general leading troops or a boss directing a team, a command carries weight and authority.

In everyday life, we use this word to describe situations where power dynamics are clear. If you are in command, you are the one responsible for making decisions. It is a strong, serious word that implies a level of control and hierarchy that you don't find in casual requests.

The word command has a fascinating journey through history. It comes from the Old French word commander, which traces back to the Latin commandare, meaning 'to commit to one's charge.' It is essentially about entrusting a task to someone else.

Over centuries, it evolved from a general sense of 'entrusting' into the more rigid, military-focused meaning we use today. It shares roots with 'mandate' and 'mandatory,' highlighting how these words are all about duties and requirements. It is a classic example of how Latin roots continue to shape our modern English vocabulary.

You will often see command paired with verbs like 'issue,' 'obey,' or 'defy.' For example, a general might issue a command, and soldiers are expected to obey the command. It is a formal word, so you wouldn't use it to ask a friend to pass the salt.

In a professional setting, you might hear someone say they are 'in command of the situation,' meaning they have everything under control. It is a word of authority, so use it when you want to emphasize that someone is the boss or that an order is non-negotiable.

1. At someone's command: Ready to do whatever someone wants. Example: 'He had a team of assistants at his command.' 2. Take command: To assume control. Example: 'She took command of the project during the crisis.' 3. Chain of command: The hierarchy of authority. Example: 'You need to follow the chain of command.' 4. In command: Being in charge. Example: 'The captain is in command of the ship.' 5. Command respect: To deserve and receive respect. Example: 'Her experience makes her command respect from everyone.' 6. By royal command: An order from royalty. Example: 'The play was performed by royal command.'

As a noun, command is countable. You can have one command or many commands. In American English, the 'a' sound is often broader, while British English tends to be sharper. The stress is on the second syllable: kə-MAND.

It rhymes with words like 'demand,' 'expand,' and 'reprimand.' When using it as a verb, it follows the pattern 'command someone to do something.' It is a very versatile word that functions as both a noun and a verb, making it a staple in both military and technical English.

Le savais-tu ?

It shares the same root as 'mandate', which is why both relate to laws and orders.

Guide de prononciation

UK /kəˈmɑːnd/
US /kəˈmænd/
Rime avec
demand expand reprimand land hand
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Misplacing stress
  • Pronouncing the 'd' too softly
  • Confusing with 'comment'

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to read

Écriture 2/5

Easy to write

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to say

Écoute 2/5

Easy to hear

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

order boss leader

Apprends ensuite

authority directive mandate

Avancé

imperative hegemony supervision

Grammaire à connaître

Imperative Mood

Sit down!

Verb Patterns

Want/Command someone to do

Prepositional Phrases

In command of

Exemples par niveau

1

The captain gave a command.

captain = leader of ship

Simple subject-verb-object

2

Follow my command.

follow = do what is said

Imperative sentence

3

He is in command.

in command = boss

Prepositional phrase

4

The dog obeyed the command.

obeyed = listened

Past tense verb

5

Give the command now.

now = at this time

Direct order

6

I heard a loud command.

loud = high volume

Adjective + noun

7

The command was clear.

clear = easy to understand

Linking verb

8

She has a command.

has = possesses

Basic verb usage

1

The sergeant issued a command.

2

He took command of the team.

3

The computer received a command.

4

They ignored the command.

5

The command was unexpected.

6

She is second in command.

7

He gave a command to start.

8

The command echoed loudly.

1

The general gave the command to retreat.

2

He has a good command of French.

3

The officer is in command of the base.

4

You must follow the chain of command.

5

The software executed the command.

6

She commands respect from her peers.

7

The command was given in a firm voice.

8

He refused to obey the command.

1

His command of the subject is impressive.

2

She assumed command after the captain fell.

3

The command structure is very rigid.

4

He issued a command that surprised everyone.

5

The system failed to process the command.

6

She is in command of her own destiny.

7

The command was relayed via radio.

8

They were under the command of a veteran.

1

He displayed an excellent command of rhetoric.

2

The commander held command over the entire region.

3

The situation is now under his command.

4

She possesses a deep command of historical facts.

5

The command was issued with absolute authority.

6

He struggled to maintain command of the meeting.

7

The command line interface is for experts.

8

Her command of the situation was masterful.

1

His command of the nuances of the law is unparalleled.

2

The king held command over the vast territories.

3

She exercised command with a gentle but firm hand.

4

The command of the language was evident in his prose.

5

He lost command of his emotions during the speech.

6

The command was an imperative that could not be ignored.

7

Their command of the market remains strong.

8

The command of the forces was delegated to the general.

Collocations courantes

issue a command
obey a command
take command
in command
chain of command
firm command
direct command
verbal command
under the command of
command respect

Expressions idiomatiques

"at someone's beck and call"

always ready to obey

He is not at your beck and call.

casual

"take the helm"

to take control

It is time for you to take the helm.

neutral

"call the shots"

to be the person in charge

She is the one calling the shots now.

casual

"run the show"

to be in charge

He has been running the show for years.

casual

"in the driver's seat"

in control

Now that you are the manager, you are in the driver's seat.

neutral

"wear the pants"

to be the boss

They say she wears the pants in that family.

casual

Facile à confondre

명령 vs Comment

Similar spelling/sound

Comment is an opinion; command is an order.

He made a comment on the command.

명령 vs Demand

Rhymes and similar meaning

Demand is an urgent request; command is an authoritative order.

He demanded a refund, which was a command.

명령 vs Commend

Similar spelling

Commend means to praise.

I commend you for following the command.

명령 vs Mandate

Related meaning

Mandate is usually legal/official.

The law is a mandate, not just a command.

Structures de phrases

B1

Subject + command + someone + to + verb

The officer commanded the soldiers to march.

B2

Be + in + command + of + noun

She is in command of the department.

B1

Issue + a + command

The boss issued a command to finish early.

C1

Command + respect

His wisdom commands respect.

B2

Under + the + command + of

We served under the command of General Lee.

Famille de mots

Noms

commander a person in charge

Verbes

command to give an order

Adjectifs

commanding having an impressive presence

Apparenté

mandatory adjective form of mandate

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

7

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'command' for a polite request. Use 'request' or 'ask'.

    Command is too aggressive for daily polite talk.

  • Confusing 'command' with 'comment'. Check spelling.

    They sound slightly similar but mean totally different things.

  • Using 'command' as a verb without an object. Command someone to do something.

    It needs a target.

  • Thinking 'command' is always a noun. It is also a verb.

    It can function as both.

  • Using 'command' for inanimate objects. Use 'instruction'.

    Commands are usually for people or systems.

Astuces

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a general in your living room giving orders.

💡

Professionalism

Use it to show you are taking charge.

🌍

Military Context

It is the standard word in military life.

💡

Verb Pattern

Always remember: Command + someone + to + verb.

💡

Stress

Put the stress on the second syllable.

💡

Don't be rude

Don't command your friends!

💡

Etymology

It comes from 'entrusting' tasks.

💡

Contextual Learning

Read military history to see it in action.

💡

Vowel sound

Practice the 'a' sound carefully.

💡

Tech context

Learn about command-line interfaces.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Command: The COMmander MANages the D-uties.

Association visuelle

A general standing with a baton, pointing at a map.

Word Web

Authority Order Leader Military Control

Défi

Try to identify three times today where someone gives you an instruction and see if it feels like a 'command'.

Origine du mot

Latin/French

Sens originel : To entrust

Contexte culturel

Can sound bossy if used in a casual social setting.

Commonly used in military, legal, and technical contexts.

Command & Conquer (game) The Ten Commandments (movie)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Military

  • Chain of command
  • Issue a command
  • Obey orders

Computing

  • Run a command
  • Command line
  • Execute command

Management

  • Take command
  • In command
  • Command respect

Education

  • Command of language
  • Command of facts
  • Clear command

Amorces de conversation

"Who is in command of your team at work?"

"Do you think it's important to have a good command of your emotions?"

"Have you ever had to take command of a difficult situation?"

"What is the best way to command respect from others?"

"Do you know how to use the command line on a computer?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time you had to take command of a situation.

Write about a leader you admire and how they command respect.

Reflect on a time you had to follow a command you didn't like.

How does having a good command of a language open doors for you?

Questions fréquentes

8 questions

Yes, it can be a noun or a verb.

Avoid using it in social settings; use 'request' instead.

They are very similar, but 'command' is often used for military or high-level authority.

Yes, computer commands are very common.

Someone who has a strong, authoritative presence.

It depends on the context; it is expected in the army but rude at home.

Commands.

Yes.

Teste-toi

fill blank A1

The captain gave a ___.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : command

A captain gives orders.

multiple choice A2

Which word means to be in charge?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : command

Being in command means being in charge.

true false B1

A command is a polite suggestion.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Faux

A command is an order, not a suggestion.

match pairs B1

Word

Signification

Tout est apparié !

These are synonyms.

sentence order B2

Touche les mots ci-dessous pour construire la phrase
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Subject + verb + object.

Score : /5

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