approving a measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approving a measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a decision or agreement is being made regarding a specific proposal or action, often in legislative or organizational settings. Example: "The committee is responsible for approving a measure that will allocate funds for community development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Watsonville voters in the Pajaro Valley, meanwhile, were overwhelmingly approving a measure that would require ballot approval for proposed name changes to public parks, plazas and other landmarks.

Los Angeles Times

Democrats would not be bullied into approving a measure they considered flawed, she said.

The New York Times

The Legislature responded that year by approving a measure legalizing civil unions; it was signed by Mr. Corzine.

The New York Times

Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa and the committee's chairman, noted the irony of approving a measure that had languished for so long.

The New York Times

The existing QMV rules give big countries extra votes, and then set the threshold for approving a measure at around 70% of the votes cast.

The Economist

A City Council committee struck a blow in its war against urban irritants yesterday, approving a measure that would ban the use of cellphones during public performances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Senate is expected to approve a measure by next week.

The New York Times

A1 The United Nations Security Council approved a measure to gather information on the Israeli military action in Jenin.

The New York Times

The Senate Commerce Committee approved a measure in October that was denounced by the administration and manufacturers.

The New York Times

Voters approved a measure to allow the use of marijuana for medical reasons.

The New York Times

They approved a measure to limit the dumping of nuclear waste in the state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legislative or organizational actions, use "approving a measure" to clearly indicate that a formal agreement or endorsement has been reached. This phrasing is appropriate for conveying the outcome of a vote or decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "approving a measure" when the action is merely a preliminary discussion or consideration, rather than a final decision. Using it prematurely can misrepresent the status of the measure and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approving a measure" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally agreeing to or endorsing a specific proposal or action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its common use in describing legislative or organizational decision-making processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approving a measure" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of giving formal consent or endorsement to a proposal or action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias, indicating its relevance in reporting legislative, organizational, and other decision-making processes. While alternatives like "endorsing a measure" or "ratifying a measure" offer slightly different nuances, "approving a measure" effectively communicates official agreement. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the action is a final decision rather than a preliminary discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passing a measure

Specifically refers to the successful enactment of a measure, often in a legislative context.

endorsing a measure

Focuses on actively and publicly supporting the measure.

approving the decision

Replaces "measure" with "decision", indicating a more general agreement.

ratifying a measure

Implies formal confirmation or validation of the measure.

authorizing a measure

Implies granting formal power or right for the measure to proceed.

sanctioning a measure

Suggests giving official permission or approval, often with a legal or authoritative connotation.

clearing a measure

Indicates removing obstacles or granting final approval.

adopting a measure

Emphasizes the act of accepting and implementing the measure.

giving the go-ahead for a measure

Uses an informal expression to indicate permission.

legislating a measure

Implies establishing a formal rule by law.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "approving a measure" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "ratifying a measure" or "sanctioning a measure", which suggest official confirmation or legal authorization.

What's a less formal alternative to "approving a measure"?

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, try "giving the go-ahead for a measure" which implies a simpler form of permission.

Is there a difference between "approving a measure" and "passing a measure"?

"Approving a measure" generally means agreeing to it, while "passing a measure" specifically refers to successfully enacting it into law, often in a legislative context.

When is it appropriate to use "approving a measure" instead of "adopting a measure"?

"Approving a measure" emphasizes the act of giving consent, whereas "adopting a measure" highlights the implementation and acceptance of that measure.