countersigned

USAGE SUMMARY

"countersigned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing agreements, documents, or contracts that need to be countersigned, meaning that two or more parties have signed the agreement, document, or contract. Example sentence: The contract was countersigned by both parties, making it official.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 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

Except in urgent cases, similar operations by the police and HM Revenue and Customs have to be countersigned by a judge acting as a Surveillance Commissioner.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

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

The Economist

Morgan stayed on as deputy chief of staff to Eisenhower from early 1944, countersigning the surrender document of German forces in Europe at Rheims, France, on May 7 , 1945

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

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

These you drew in advance with a pink slip which any magazine colleague could countersign; then you took it to a cashier's window from which old big, blue £5 notes were unquestioningly shovelled out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "countersigned", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is countersigning and what their role is in the process. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "countersigned" when referring to the initial signing of a document. "Countersigned" implies a second signature, not the first. The initial signature simply "signs" the document, while a second party "countersigns".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "countersigned" is as the past participle form of the verb "countersign". It is often used adjectivally to describe a document or agreement that has been signed by a second party for validation or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

28%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "countersigned" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily found in News & Media and Encyclopedias contexts. It functions as a verb in the past participle, indicating that a document has been signed by a second party. The term is generally formal and professional, often used in legal and official settings. When using "countersigned", ensure the context clearly specifies who is countersigning and their role. For alternatives, consider "co-signed", "endorsed", or "authenticated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Co-signed

A direct synonym, indicating that another signature was added to share responsibility or authorization.

Endorsed

Suggests approval or support, which is a common reason for countersigning a document.

Seconded

Implies agreement and support, similar to adding a signature for approval, but often used in meeting contexts.

Authenticated

Focuses on verifying the genuineness of a document, which is often the purpose of countersigning.

Verified

Emphasizes the confirmation of accuracy or validity, a key aspect of countersigning.

Validated

Similar to verified, it highlights the confirmation of a document's legal or official status.

Ratified

Implies formal approval and validation, which can be achieved through countersigning.

Attested

Similar to witnessed, suggesting that a signature confirms the validity of another person's signature.

Approved

Suggests that the document has been officially accepted, often requiring a signature.

Witnessed

Indicates that a signature was added to confirm the signing of a document by another party.

FAQs

What does "countersigned" mean?

"Countersigned" means to sign a document that has already been signed by another person, often to confirm its validity or authorize it further.

When is it appropriate to use the word "countersigned"?

Use "countersigned" when you need to indicate that a document or agreement requires a second signature for verification, authorization, or confirmation. Examples include legal documents, financial transactions, and official requests.

What are some alternatives to "countersigned"?

Alternatives to "countersigned" include "co-signed", "endorsed", "authenticated", and "verified". The best choice depends on the specific context and the reason for the second signature.

What's the difference between "signed" and "countersigned"?

"Signed" refers to the initial act of placing one's signature on a document. "Countersigned" indicates that another signature was added to the document after the initial signature, typically by a different individual or authority, to validate or authorize the document further.