approve a proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approve a proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the acceptance or endorsement of a formal suggestion or plan, typically in a business or organizational context. Example: "The board will meet next week to approve a proposal for the new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Usually, investors are asked to approve a proposal by majority.

The Guardian - Business

The president wants Congress to approve a proposal to help small businesses that hire additional workers, and to look for ways to hire more veterans.

The New York Times

A decision by the government to approve a proposal to allow same-sex couples to marry drew criticism from the conservative opposition and the Catholic Church.

The New York Times

Builders now sit down at a table with all of the city officials needed to approve a proposal, instead of being forced to go from office to office.

The New York Times

However, Arizona's Republican-controlled state senate is unlikely to approve a proposal by Democratic state senators to amend the state's constitution to prohibit the death penalty.

The Guardian

As California becomes the first state to approve a proposal for $15 minimum wage, the question becomes: is $15 an hour enough?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Once the Global Fund Board approves a proposal, a grant agreement is signed with a Principal Recipient, proposed by the CCM.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

In Ohio, voters approved a proposal to allow full-service casinos to be built in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

The New York Times

This month, Ford shareholders approved a proposal to distribute a special $10 billion dividend.

The New York Times

Voters overwhelmingly approved a proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, 70percentto30percentcent.

The New York Times

After the plan was revised, the European Commission approved a proposal in November aimed at making the requirement a law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "approve a proposal" to clearly indicate official acceptance. For instance, state, "The committee voted to "approve a proposal" for the new research initiative".

Common error

Avoid using "approve of a proposal". The correct phrasing is "approve a proposal", where "approve" directly takes the proposal as its object. "Approve of" is used when expressing general satisfaction or agreement with something, not for formal acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve a proposal" functions as a verb phrase, where "approve" is the transitive verb and "a proposal" is the direct object. This phrase describes the action of formally accepting or endorsing a suggestion or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approve a proposal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies the formal acceptance or endorsement of a plan or suggestion. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When using the term, ensure you are indicating formal acceptance and avoid the incorrect phrasing "approve of a proposal". Alternatives like "ratify a proposal" or "endorse a proposal" can be used to add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ratify a proposal

Indicates a formal confirmation or sanctioning, often by a governing body.

endorse a proposal

Suggests public support or recommendation of the proposal.

sanction a proposal

Implies giving official permission or approval, often with legal or authoritative backing.

accept a proposal

Indicates agreement with the terms and conditions of the proposal.

adopt a proposal

Signifies formally taking up and putting the proposal into effect.

pass a proposal

Refers to a successful vote or decision in favor of the proposal.

validate a proposal

Implies confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of the proposal.

support a proposal

Denotes providing assistance or advocacy for the proposal.

give the green light to a proposal

An idiomatic expression meaning to grant permission for the proposal to proceed.

give the go-ahead to a proposal

Similar to "give the green light", this phrase means to authorize the proposal.

FAQs

How can I use "approve a proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "approve a proposal" when you want to describe the act of formally accepting or endorsing a plan or suggestion. For example, "The board members will meet to "approve a proposal" for the company's expansion."

What are some alternatives to "approve a proposal"?

Alternatives include "ratify a proposal", "endorse a proposal", or "accept a proposal", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "approve of a proposal"?

No, the correct phrasing is "approve a proposal". The phrase "approve of" is generally used to express general approval or satisfaction, not for formally accepting a specific proposal.

What's the difference between "approve a proposal" and "support a proposal"?

"Approve a proposal" implies a formal decision to accept and implement the proposal. "Support a proposal", on the other hand, suggests offering help or advocacy, but doesn't necessarily mean the proposal has been officially accepted. You can "support a proposal" without having the authority to "approve a proposal".