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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
approval on
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "approval on" is not correct or usable in written English.
If you want to use an expression that indicates receiving permission or consent, you would use phrases such as "approval for" or "approval of". For example: "The committee gave its final approval for the project." "We got approval of the budget from the board of directors."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
I always present "star art" for approval on a one-on-one basis.
News & Media
Decide who needs to be the one to give final approval on this message.
Wiki
The company announced the approval on Thursday.
News & Media
Crittendon's approval, on the other hand, can open doors.
News & Media
Demps had to get Stern's approval on the Gordon extension.
News & Media
Some even won approval on a voice vote.
News & Media
Barclays scored 93% approval on the binding vote.
News & Media
He and his buyers received board approval on Sept. 25.
News & Media
The town received final approval on April 13.
News & Media
(Look for a seal of approval on the package).
News & Media
That offer received tentative court approval on July 13.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Prefer "approval of" or "approval for" to ensure grammatical correctness in formal writing. For example, "The project requires approval of the board" is more appropriate than "The project requires approval on the board".
Common error
Avoid using "on" after "approval". While common in informal speech, it's grammatically incorrect. Always opt for "approval of" to indicate what is being approved or "approval for" to indicate the purpose of the approval.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "approval on" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate a relationship of permission or agreement. However, it's noteworthy that Ludwig AI identifies this usage as grammatically incorrect.
Frequent in
News & Media
71%
Science
19%
Wiki
6%
Less common in
Formal & Business
2%
Academia
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
While the phrase "approval on" appears frequently in diverse contexts such as news and media, it's crucial to recognize that, according to Ludwig AI, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct alternatives are "approval of", used to denote what is being approved, and "approval for", used to specify the purpose of the approval. Despite its prevalence, especially in certain sources, adhering to proper grammar by using the alternatives will improve clarity and credibility, particularly in formal and professional settings. Therefore, exercise caution and prefer the grammatically sound alternatives to avoid potential misinterpretations or negative perceptions.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
approval of
Changes the preposition to indicate the object of approval, adhering to standard English grammar.
approval for
Modifies the preposition to specify the purpose or reason for approval.
permission for
Replaces "approval" with "permission", focusing on authorization.
authorization for
Substitutes with "authorization", stressing the formal sanction aspect.
endorsement of
Uses "endorsement" to convey support or recommendation.
ratification of
Employs "ratification", emphasizing formal validation or confirmation.
sanction for
Replaces with "sanction", highlighting formal permission or approval.
clearance for
Uses "clearance" to suggest the removal of obstacles or doubts.
the go-ahead for
Offers an idiomatic alternative, indicating permission to proceed.
green light for
Provides another idiomatic option, symbolizing approval to begin or continue.
FAQs
What's the correct way to ask for approval?
Instead of asking for "approval on" something, which is grammatically incorrect, ask for "approval of" or "approval for" the specific item or action.
What can I say instead of "approval on"?
Use "approval of" to indicate possession of approval or use "approval for" to indicate the reason for the approval.
Is "approval on" grammatically correct?
No, "approval on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct prepositions to use with "approval" are "of" and "for".
When should I use "approval of" vs. "approval for"?
Use "approval of" when referring to the thing being approved (e.g., "approval of the budget"). Use "approval for" when specifying the purpose or reason for the approval (e.g., "approval for the project").
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested