approved a bill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approved a bill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of legislative processes when referring to the formal acceptance of a proposed law by a governing body. Example: "The Senate approved a bill aimed at improving infrastructure across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The House approved a bill doing so in May.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, state lawmakers in Washington approved a bill allowing same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

The Senate approved a bill on Wednesday allowing civil unions for same-sex couples.

The New York Times

They approved a bill naming a building in Virginia after a deceased federal worker.

The New York Times

Lawmakers approved a bill on Thursday with new rules for abortion clinics.

The New York Times

So, this week the state Senate approved a bill moving California's primary to February 5th.

The Economist

See articleUruguay's Senate approved a bill to legalise and regulate the cultivation and sale of marijuana.

The Economist

This week, legislators approved a bill to use oil royalties for education and health care.

The New York Times

The Assembly approved a bill on Monday that toughens penalties for witness intimidation and tampering.

The New York Times

The State Senate approved a bill to make reckless political statements a crime.

The New York Times

Congress approved a bill to overhaul the nation's accounting, securities and corporate-fraud laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legislative actions, use "approved a bill" to clearly indicate that a governing body has formally accepted the proposed law. For variety, consider using synonyms like "passed a bill" or "ratified a bill".

Common error

Don't use less precise alternatives like "considered a bill" when you mean to convey that the bill was formally accepted. "Considered" indicates deliberation, while "approved" signifies a final decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approved a bill" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of a legislative body formally accepting a proposed law. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approved a bill" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the formal acceptance of a proposed law by a legislative body. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in contexts such as news and media, as well as formal and business settings. Alternative phrases like "passed a bill" or "ratified a bill" offer similar meanings, though subtle differences in connotation exist. When using "approved a bill", it's important to be precise and avoid vague language, ensuring clarity in communicating legislative actions. The frequency and diverse authoritative sources underscore its importance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed a bill

This alternative emphasizes the successful completion of the legislative process, with the bill now enacted.

ratified a bill

This alternative highlights the formal confirmation of the bill, often involving multiple parties or stages.

adopted a bill

This phrase focuses on the acceptance and implementation of the bill, suggesting it is now in effect.

enacted a bill

This alternative underlines the act of making the bill into law, signifying its legal status.

endorsed a bill

Implies support and approval, leading to the bill's progression.

legislated a bill

Focuses on the legislative action taken to create the bill.

sanctioned a bill

This alternative suggests formal permission or authorization for the bill.

validated a bill

This alternative indicates confirming the legality or legitimacy of the bill.

authorized a bill

This emphasizes granting permission or power for the bill to proceed.

decreed a bill

Implies a formal and authoritative order for the bill's enactment.

FAQs

What does "approved a bill" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "approved a bill" means that a legislative body has formally voted in favor of a proposed law, which is a necessary step for the bill to potentially become law.

What can I say instead of "approved a bill"?

You can use alternatives like "passed a bill", "ratified a bill", or "adopted a bill" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "approved a bill" and "passed a bill"?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, "approved a bill" generally refers to the initial act of agreement, whereas "passed a bill" often implies that all necessary steps for the bill's passage have been completed within a specific legislative body. The nuance depends on the legislative process.

What happens after a legislative body "approves a bill"?

After a legislative body "approves a bill", it typically moves to the next stage of the legislative process, which might involve review by another chamber, reconciliation of differences, or final approval by an executive such as a president or governor.