approve the decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approve the decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you believe a decision is correct, and that you support it. For example: After careful consideration, I have decided to approve the decision to launch the new campaign.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The State Supreme Court would have to approve the decision.

The New York Times

President Andrés Pastrana is expected to approve the decision.

The New York Times

And did the cabinet approve the decision at the time?

The Guardian

Congress does not need to approve the decision before it goes into effect.

The New York Times

A vote is not necessary but Straujuma has said the Saeima should get a chance to approve the decision.

The Guardian

DfT did not direct FGW to make these changes, nor were we required to approve the decision".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In background briefings with reporters, however, American officials have said that they — as well as the Afghans — would have to approve the decisions to release detainees.

The New York Times

"The rationale for requiring separate audit committee approval of a delisting was to ensure that independent directors approved the decision," said Catherine R. Kinney, president and co-chief operating officer of the Big Board.

The New York Times

The survey indicated 24percentt approved the decision.

The New York Times

Cameron said O'Donnell had "consulted lawyers" before approving the decision.

The Guardian

Florida State's athletic director approved the decision.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approve the decision", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the approval and what decision is being approved. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Ensure the verb "approve" agrees with the subject performing the action. A common mistake is using a singular verb form with a plural subject (e.g., "The committee approves the decision" instead of "The committee approve the decision" when referring to the members individually).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve the decision" functions as a verb phrase where "approve" is the main verb and "the decision" is the direct object. The phrase signifies the act of giving official consent or support to a particular decision. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approve the decision" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase indicating official agreement or support for a specific decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. While "approve the decision" can appear in various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, formal and business, and science. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, though its formality can shift based on context. It is important to ensure the subject-verb agreement when using it, and to specify both who is approving and what decision is being approved to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ratify the decision

Replaces "approve" with a more formal synonym, suggesting official confirmation.

endorse the decision

Uses "endorse" to imply public support or recommendation of the decision.

affirm the decision

Employs "affirm," indicating a confirmation of the decision's validity.

validate the decision

Replaces "approve" with "validate", suggesting the action of confirming the decision is sound and justifiable.

sanction the decision

Uses "sanction" to imply official permission or approval, often by an authority.

authorize the decision

Suggests granting permission or power for the decision to be carried out.

sign off on the decision

Employs a more informal, idiomatic expression for giving final approval.

give the green light to the decision

Replaces "approve" with an idiomatic phrase indicating permission to proceed.

uphold the decision

Suggests maintaining or supporting the decision, often in the face of challenge.

consent to the decision

Uses "consent" to denote agreement or permission, emphasizing voluntary approval.

FAQs

What does "approve the decision" mean?

The phrase "approve the decision" means to officially agree with and support a particular decision, often implying that you have the authority or influence to validate it.

What can I say instead of "approve the decision"?

You can use alternatives like "ratify the decision", "endorse the decision", or "validate the decision" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "approved the decision"?

Yes, "approved the decision" is grammatically correct. "Approved" is the past tense of "approve", and it's used to describe a decision that was approved at some point in the past.

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

"Accept the decision" implies acknowledging or agreeing to abide by a decision, possibly without complete agreement. "Approve the decision", on the other hand, suggests formally endorsing or validating the decision as correct or appropriate. They are not synonyms, and the context must dictate the choice.