Order
Posted by Bruce Kahl on September 21, 2003
In Reply to: Order posted by sphinx on September 21, 2003
: : : 1.This volcano has a time frame where it erupts in the order of every 500 to 1,000 years.
: : : 2.The "Ring of Fire" is a ring around the Pacific Ocean where something on the order of 60% of the world's volcanoes lie.
: : : Could you please explain "order" in both cases?
: : : Which word can replace it?
: : From Merriam-Webster online:
: : on the order of: 1 after the fashion of: LIKE "much on the order of Great Lakes bulk carriers -- Ships and the Sea" 2 : ABOUT, APPROXIMATELY "spent on the order of two million dollars."
:
: what about in the order of, #1?
When you see the phrase "on the order of" just knock it out and substitute the word "about" and you will get the same result.