expecting approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expecting approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone is awaiting or hoping for a positive response or endorsement regarding a proposal, request, or action. Example: "After submitting the project proposal, I am now expecting approval from the board before proceeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Glancing back at the benches, expecting approval, she saw "nothing but horror".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The battle will heat up now that the two are shopping rival reactors-Westinghouse's AP-1000, approved last fall by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and GE's ESBWR, which expects approval in two years.

Forbes

"I would expect approval".

The New York Times

The company had expected approval by June.

The New York Times

But analysts said that they still expected approval.

The New York Times

"Even bears on AMLN generally expected approval, so this is a major downside surprise," he wrote.

The New York Times

Here is a graph just of his actual and expected approval ratings.

The New York Times

The polls give the noes an average of 53%.Officially, the government still expects approval.

The Economist

We wouldn't be doing this deal if we did not expect approval".

The New York Times

Biopure had said it expected approval in August for use in orthopedic surgery patients.

The New York Times

Dr. Taintor said he expected approval by the association in late May.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expecting approval" when you want to convey a sense of anticipation, but be mindful that it might sound slightly passive. Consider stronger verbs if you want to project more confidence or agency.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "expecting approval" can sound somewhat weak in formal writing. In professional settings, consider stronger alternatives like "anticipating" or "awaiting" to convey more confidence and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expecting approval" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often a person or entity). It indicates a state of anticipation or waiting for a positive decision or endorsement. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expecting approval" is grammatically correct but infrequently used, as Ludwig shows with only one exact example. It functions as an adjectival phrase, primarily in news and media contexts, to convey anticipation of a favorable decision. While acceptable, consider stronger or more formal alternatives like "awaiting" or "anticipating" for enhanced clarity and impact, as indicated by Ludwig AI's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting endorsement

Focuses on the act of waiting for a formal sign of support or permission, highlighting the passive role of the person waiting.

anticipating clearance

Implies a more proactive stance of predicting or foreseeing a positive decision, specifically referring to the act of getting the go-ahead.

looking forward to ratification

Emphasizes a positive sentiment and anticipation of a formal agreement or confirmation.

presuming consent

Suggests a belief that approval is likely, potentially based on prior agreement or understanding.

banking on acceptance

Indicates a strong reliance or confidence in receiving a favorable response or agreement.

confident of affirmation

Highlights the strong certainty of receiving confirmation or validation.

assuming the green light

Informal and implies an expectation of receiving permission to proceed with a project or plan.

counting on authorization

Relies on the belief that official permission or sanction will be granted.

Hoping for sign-off

Informal; emphasizes hope rather than certainty for a formal indication of agreement or completion.

Envisioning support

Focuses on the act of imagining the approval or assistance of others, often for a cause or project.

FAQs

What does "expecting approval" mean?

The phrase "expecting approval" means anticipating or awaiting a positive response or endorsement for something you have proposed or requested. It implies a sense of hope and anticipation.

What can I say instead of "expecting approval"?

You can use alternatives like "awaiting approval", "anticipating approval", or "hoping for approval" depending on the context.

Is "expecting approval" formal or informal?

"Expecting approval" is relatively neutral but can lean towards the informal side. For more formal contexts, consider using "awaiting approval" or "anticipating approval".

How to use "expecting approval" in a sentence?

Example: "After submitting the proposal, the team is currently "expecting approval" from the board." Another example: "The company is "expecting approval" from the FDA for its new drug".