approve a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approve a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has given their consent or agreement to a particular choice or resolution. Example: "The board will meet next week to approve a decision regarding the new budget proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The residents would have to approve a decision to go private.

The New York Times

To persuade the backbenchers to support the bill, ministers offered a series of concessions which would involve the Commons having to vote to approve a decision to let police go beyond 28 days.

The Guardian

Individual, bipartisan county election boards in Indiana must unanimously approve a decision to add early voting sites.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Once the court order has been approved, a decision on how to do a covert installation needs to be made.

Forensic Investigation of Stolen-Recovered and Other Crime-Related Vehicles

Almost 10percentt said they had approved a decision to acquire "assets for the short-term improvement of financials".

The New York Times

The move comes after Iran's Guardian Council approved a decision by the parliament on Sunday to downgrade diplomatic relations with Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though he was vague on details, Mr. Fourtou said the board had approved a decision "to enhance the value of the company's entertainment businesses and develop them".

The New York Times

The European Commission approves a decision by the EU's competition commissioner, Mario Monti, that Microsoft must pay a fine of €497 million, offer a version of Windows that is not bundled with MediaPlayer audiovisual software, and reveal software codes to competitors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1964 it approved a decision to create an Arab Common Market which Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Mauritania, Syria, and Yemen announced an intention to join to promote Arab integration by reducing tariffs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Michael Lesher, a New Jersey lawyer representing some of the reported victims, uncovered federal documents that Mr. Lesher contended showed that Mr. Hynes's office approved a decision in 1993 to drop efforts to extradite Mr. Mondrowitz.

The New York Times

Early this year, the French regulator evidently approved a decision by a French bank, Société Générale, which moved losses from a scandal from 2008, when they occurred, to the previous year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approve a decision", consider the context. For formal settings, "ratify" or "authorize" may be more appropriate. In informal contexts, "sign off on" can add a conversational tone.

Common error

Avoid using "accept a decision" when you mean to convey formal approval or endorsement. "Accept" implies acknowledgment or resignation to a decision, whereas "approve" indicates active agreement and support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve a decision" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "approve" takes "decision" as its direct object. This indicates an action of formally agreeing to or endorsing a specific choice or resolution. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approve a decision" is grammatically correct and usable for expressing formal agreement or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While its frequency is uncommon, its contexts are primarily News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. Related phrases include "ratify a decision" and "authorize a decision". When writing, ensure to avoid confusing "approve" with "accept". It's suitable for professional and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ratify a decision

Formally confirm a decision, often implying official validation.

endorse a decision

Publicly support or recommend a decision, suggesting approval and encouragement.

authorize a decision

Give official permission for a decision, emphasizing the granting of power or right.

sanction a decision

Give official approval or consent to a decision, implying formal acceptance.

validate a decision

Confirm or substantiate a decision, indicating that it is sound and justified.

affirm a decision

Declare a decision to be true or valid, often in response to a challenge or question.

uphold a decision

Maintain or defend a decision, especially against opposition or legal challenge.

adopt a decision

Formally accept or approve a decision, making it official policy.

rubber-stamp a decision

Approve a decision without careful consideration, suggesting a perfunctory action.

sign off on a decision

Give final approval to a decision, often implying completion of a process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "approve a decision" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "ratify a decision", "endorse a decision", or "authorize a decision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "approve a decision" and "accept a decision"?

"Approve a decision" implies giving formal consent and support, while "accept a decision" suggests acknowledging or resigning oneself to the decision, even if one doesn't necessarily agree with it. Consider the context to choose the right term.

Is "approve of a decision" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "approve of a decision" is less direct and less common than "approve a decision". The latter is generally preferred for its conciseness and clarity.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "approve a decision"?

The phrase "approve a decision" is best used in formal or professional contexts where a governing body or individual with authority formally agrees to and supports a particular course of action or resolution.