1) order:
The verb order has different meanings. One of them is the following:
to organize (things) in a particular list or series : to put things in a particular order or position
2) organise:
Also the verb organise has different meanings. One of them is the following:
to arrange or order things so that they can be found or used easily and quickly : to put things into a particular arrangement or order
(Source of the definitions: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/)
My question refers only to the meanings of 1) and 2) above. I am not interested in other meanings. So with the definitions above I am not able to discover a difference between 1) and 2). But I assume that there are nuances between the word organise and order in the meaning 1) vs. 2).
So can you teach me exactly what the differences are?
Some examples: Is it exactly the same when I say:
1) The books are ordered alphabetically by author.
vs. The books are organized alphabetically by author.
2) His office is a mess. He needs someone to help him order his work/papers.
vs. His office is a mess. He needs someone to help him organize his work/papers.
3) She took a moment to order her thoughts before she responded.
vs. She took a moment to organize her thoughts before she responded.
4) The book is ordered around a central theme.
vs. The book is organized around a central theme.
5) I spent some time ordering my closet last weekend.
vs. I spent some time organizing my closet last weekend.
6) You need to learn to order better.
vs. You need to learn to organize better.
Edit: Added more examples:
7) I ordered the photos chronologically.
vs. I organized the photos chronologically.
8) Please order these files according to case significance.
vs. Please organize these files according to case significance.
Best Answer
In American English, the verb order tends to connote a sequence. Organize suggests structure, of which sequencing is one version, but many other systems might apply. If your context suggests sequence, either could usually be used. If not, organize would probably be better.
In your examples, organize works for all of them. Order also works clearly in example 1. In example 6, order could be used if the skill focuses on some type of sequence. In example 3, order also works, probably because thoughts are often construed to flow in a logical sequence. In 2, 4 and 5, order seems inappropriate.
You might also consider the phrase in order
Collins
While this adjectival and adverbial phrase can mean sequencing, it also is routinely used to encompasses the broader well structured concept.