approvals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approvals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of officially agreeing to something or giving permission, often in a business or formal context. Example: "Before we can proceed with the project, we need to obtain all necessary approvals from the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In January, final approvals were granted to dump three million cubic metres of dredged ocean bottom into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to make way for a new coal terminal.

The Guardian

According to figures from the Bank of England, the number of mortgage approvals was under 50,000 in October 2010, compared with a peak of 130,000 in November 2006.

The Guardian - Business

The Greens say this deal prevents any legal recourse against previous Labor decisions, as well as approvals to be considered by Hunt, such as the Abbot Point decision.

The Guardian

But Monday's bill passed with a Labor-agreed amendment which stipulates the Coalition's change should only apply to environmental approvals made up to 31 December this year.

The Guardian

Last month, Tony Abbott announced that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Liberal-National government in Queensland, that would "streamline" environmental approvals.

The Guardian

We no longer have the precautionary principle in place in the whole approvals process".

The Guardian

But this figure doesn't include the emissions from burning all that coal, because there's no requirement in the law to provide this, just as environmental approvals don't take into account the impact of projects on climate change.

The Guardian

Ipp said governments should set up expert bodies to oversee such processes and have the final say in approvals.

The Guardian

The Queensland government has today announced a strategy to speed up coalmining projects in the Galilee basin, giving "first movers" a discount on the royalties they will pay for mining the coal as well as making approvals easier.

The Guardian

"The approvals today are a massive assault on the environment and place the future of the reef in jeopardy," she said.

The Guardian

Decisions granted immunity include controversial approvals in Queensland of dredging at Abbot Point, an LNG export facility at Curtis Island and a coalmine in the Galilee Basin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing formal processes, ensure you specify the type of "approvals" needed (e.g., environmental approvals, regulatory approvals).

Common error

Be mindful of the plural form. Use "approvals" when referring to multiple instances of permission or agreement, not just a single instance.

Linguistic Context

The word "approvals" primarily functions as a plural noun. It refers to instances where permission or authorization has been granted. Ludwig AI examples show its use in contexts such as environmental regulations, loan applications, and project endorsements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "approvals" is a commonly used plural noun that signifies multiple instances of granting permission or authorization, as validated by Ludwig AI. It frequently appears in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, often related to regulatory or project-based authorizations. While grammatically correct, writers should be aware of its plural nature and use it appropriately when referring to multiple instances rather than a singular, overarching approval. Alternative terms like "authorizations" or "permissions" can provide similar meanings. When using the word approvals, be aware of what kind of "approvals" are meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorizations

Focuses on the formal granting of permission or power.

permissions

Emphasizes allowing something to happen.

sanctions

Implies official permission or endorsement, often with a legal or regulatory aspect.

endorsements

Highlights public support or recommendation.

ratifications

Refers to the formal confirmation or validation of an agreement or treaty.

agreements

Focuses on mutual understanding and consent.

consents

Stresses voluntary agreement or permission.

clearances

Indicates the removal of obstacles or barriers.

validations

Emphasizes confirming the legitimacy or correctness of something.

certifications

Highlights the formal recognition of meeting certain standards.

FAQs

How is "approvals" typically used in a sentence?

"Approvals" is generally used as a plural noun to refer to multiple instances where permission or authorization has been granted. For example, "The project requires several environmental approvals before it can proceed".

What are some alternatives to using the word "approvals"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "authorizations", "permissions", or "sanctions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "approvals" and "approval"?

"Approval" is a singular noun referring to a single instance of agreement or permission, while "approvals" is the plural form, indicating multiple instances. For example, "He received approval for his proposal" versus "He received all the necessary approvals for the project".

Is it correct to use "approvals" when referring to a single, overarching authorization?

While technically "approvals" is plural, it can sometimes be used to refer to a series of permissions that collectively constitute a single, overarching authorization. However, using the singular form "approval" is generally clearer in such cases.