countersign

USAGE SUMMARY

"countersign" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a signature required to authenticate or confirm another signature on a document. For example, "The loan contract required the borrower to countersign the agreement before it was valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Its accountant, a Kenyan, was held hostage while he was told to countersign cheques.

The Economist

It was early January, and, with the move-out date only a few weeks away, Arwen had suddenly made Rimkus a new, ambiguous offer: it had invited her to sign a one-year extension, no strings attached, but without guaranteeing that anybody from the company would be willing to countersign.

The New Yorker

Like, say, the pro-life sentiments of Sargent Shriver (to choose a similarly admirable example from the Democratic side), Colson's prison work served as a kind of countersign — a public reminder that his belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ shaped his public commitments rather than the other way around.

The New York Times

Still, while he is no longer an officer of Americans for Job Security, Mr. Dubke remains a consultant and has authority to countersign its checks.

The New York Times

"We were soon halted by a guard and advanced to give the countersign; seized the end of his gun and hit him over the head, then ran out of the way".

The New York Times

Parties involved in real estate transactions must hire a lawyer to handle paperwork, countersign the sales agreement and submit it to the land registry, Mr. Varga said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It was countersigned by its obvious target, the prime minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi.See article: Italy's media and politicsThe Anglican church worldwide got a new head proposed by Britain's prime minister and appointed by its queen.

The Economist

His cabinet approved a decree which, had it been countersigned by President Giorgio Napolitano, would have forced Ms Englaro's doctors to continue treatment.Why?

The Economist

Obviously, a device such as the lettre de cachet could be used quite arbitrarily, but research has discounted the common 18th-century belief that lettres de cachet were sometimes delivered blank, though duly signed and countersigned, so that the recipient had only to fill in the name of a personal enemy in order to be rid of him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The king's decrees had to be countersigned by ministers responsible to the Sejm, which was partly elected on the basis of property qualifications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To become law, the acts must be countersigned by at least one cabinet member.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "countersign", ensure that the document or action already has an initial signature that needs to be validated. Clarify who is authorized to countersign within organizational policies to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid assuming that anyone can "countersign" a document. It's crucial to verify that the individual has the proper authority and knowledge of the original signature's legitimacy; otherwise, the countersignature is meaningless and potentially legally invalid.

Linguistic Context

The verb "countersign" primarily functions to add a secondary signature to a document, thereby authenticating the original signature. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard. Examples show it applied to cheques, contracts, and official forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

8%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "countersign" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the act of adding a second signature to validate an initial one. Ludwig AI confirms its legitimacy, and examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its frequent use in news and formal contexts. While alternatives like "endorse" or "validate" exist, "countersign" is specifically suited for situations where a formal validation through a secondary signature is required. When using this word, ensure the signer has the proper authority and understand the document's purpose to maintain its legal integrity. The use of "countersign" is particularly prevalent in professional and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorse

Implies support or approval, often by signing a document, but can also be used more broadly.

validate

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy or correctness of something.

authorize

Conveys formal permission or approval, often required for specific actions.

attest

Emphasizes bearing witness to the truth or validity of something, usually in a formal setting.

certify

Indicates official confirmation that something meets certain standards or requirements.

sign off on

An informal way of saying to give official approval to something.

second

To formally support a proposal or motion.

confirm

To verify or establish the truth or accuracy of something.

ratify

To formally approve or sanction a treaty, contract, or agreement.

authenticate

To prove or show something to be genuine.

FAQs

How to use "countersign" in a sentence?

You can use "countersign" to describe the act of adding a second signature to a document to validate the first, such as, "The check required two signatures; the manager had to countersign it after the employee signed".

What can I say instead of "countersign"?

Alternatives to "countersign" include "endorse", "validate", or "authorize", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it necessary for a document to be "countersigned"?

Whether a document needs to be "countersigned" depends on legal or organizational requirements. It often occurs when there is a need for additional verification or approval to ensure the validity and integrity of the document.

What's the difference between "sign" and "countersign"?

"Sign" refers to the initial act of adding one's signature to a document, while "countersign" means to add a second signature, typically to confirm or validate the first. The act of "countersigning" typically occurs after a document has been initially signed.