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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be formally approved

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be formally approved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the need for official consent or validation of a proposal, document, or decision. Example: "Before we can proceed with the project, it must be formally approved by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The nomination must be formally approved by the Senate.

News & Media

The Guardian

The plan must be formally approved by NATO.

News & Media

The New York Times

The nomination has to be formally approved by the Senate.

News & Media

The Guardian

Pernetti still has to be formally approved by the university's board of governors.

News & Media

The New York Times

The budget will be formally approved at the end of October.

Initially, officials here said an amnesty would have to be formally approved before troops would arrive.

News & Media

The New York Times

But the deal still has to be formally approved by negotiators from each chamber.

News & Media

The New York Times

The share issue will be formally approved at a general meeting in March.

King still has to be formally approved by all 28 EU member states.

News & Media

The Guardian

Constitutional amendments are now to be formally approved by the Serbian parliament on March 28.

News & Media

The Guardian

The changes are due to be formally approved on Friday and take effect on March 7.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about processes or decisions, use "be formally approved" to emphasize the official and authorized nature of the validation.

Common error

Avoid using "be formally approved" when referring to everyday, informal agreements. This phrase should be reserved for situations where a structured process and official endorsement are involved.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be formally approved" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject receives official validation or authorization. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it applies to nominations, budgets, deals, and amendments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be formally approved" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies official validation or authorization. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to denote that something has undergone and cleared a structured evaluation process. Predominantly found in contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia, this phrase is best employed when emphasizing the legitimate and authorized nature of decisions, plans, or documents. For alternatives, consider "receive formal approval" or "gain official sanction" for similar meanings. Ensure to use the phrase appropriately by reserving it for scenarios that genuinely involve structured processes and official endorsements.

FAQs

What does "be formally approved" mean?

The phrase "be formally approved" indicates that something has undergone an official review and has been granted authorization or consent through a defined process.

When should I use "be formally approved" in my writing?

Use "be formally approved" when you want to emphasize that an action, decision, or document has received official sanction through a structured process. It's suitable for discussing policies, regulations, or procedures.

What can I say instead of "be formally approved"?

You can use alternatives like "receive formal approval", "gain official sanction", or "be officially ratified" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "be approved" and "be formally approved"?

Yes, "be approved" simply means that something has met with favor or consent. "Be formally approved" implies a structured process of review and authorization, giving it a more official and authoritative tone.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: