for formal approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"for formal approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of receiving authorization from a governing body or person for something that is proposed. For example: "We must submit our plan for formal approval before we can begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

A senior government official said Mr. Sharon could still present the plan to the cabinet and the legislature for formal approval.

The New York Times

Weeks later, after he realized the depth of Enron's financial woes, Mr. Whalley fired Mr. Fastow without even waiting for formal approval from the company's board.

The New York Times

If it rejects the legislation, the lower house can wait 180 days to pass it again and forward it to the king for formal approval.

The Guardian

Parsi leaders say they are waiting for formal approval from community members, doctors and priests before beginning construction, approvals they expect to receive over the next several weeks.

The New York Times

The edition traditionally referred to as Shibu suanjing ("Ten Mathematical Canons") was submitted for formal approval to the emperor in 656.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This week universities and science minister David Willetts made the announcement that 10 higher education colleges have met the criteria to be awarded university title and he has recommended them to be put forward to Privy Council for formal approval.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The DAC was set up by the Wellcome Trust to be independent from the project and, once approved by the MC, applications were forwarded onto the DAC for final, formal approval.

Genome Medicine

After logging the application on the project wiki (allowing the PM to monitor the status of all DAAs through to the point of DAC approval), the PM would then triage applications (ensuring full and correct completion), before sending onto the DAC for final, formal approval.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The National Information Governance Board NIGBB) accepted that pseudo-anonymisation of patients between databases was sufficient for no formal approval to be required.

British Journal of Cancer

The medical ethics committee of the University Hospitals Leuven - UZ Leuven, Belgium, waived the need for a formal approval of the study, due to the non-interventional nature and because the study is not directed at patients.

BMC Health Services Research

The way is now clear for China and Taiwan to receive formal approval for membership at a meeting of trade ministers in Doha, Qatar, in November.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for formal approval" when indicating a process where official authorization is required, especially in legal, business, or academic contexts. This emphasizes the structured and documented nature of the approval process.

Common error

Avoid using "for formal approval" when the situation involves informal endorsements or agreements. The phrase implies a structured process, so using it in an informal context can create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for formal approval" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the purpose or requirement of obtaining official authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for formal approval" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote the necessity of obtaining official authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various fields, including news, science, and business. While phrases like "for official authorization" or "to secure formal endorsement" may serve as alternatives, the original phrase specifically emphasizes the structured and documented nature of the approval process. When writing, ensure that the context warrants the use of formal language and avoid using it in situations where informal agreement would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for official authorization

Replaces "formal approval" with "official authorization", emphasizing the authorized nature of the approval.

seeking official endorsement

Shifts the focus to obtaining endorsement, implying support beyond mere approval.

to gain official sanction

Uses "sanction" instead of "approval", suggesting a more authoritative or regulatory permission.

to secure formal endorsement

Emphasizes the act of securing endorsement, highlighting the effort involved.

for the granting of permission

Replaces "approval" with the more explicit "granting of permission", clarifying the act of allowing something.

in pursuit of authorized clearance

Highlights the pursuit of clearance, implying a process to be navigated.

to obtain regulatory clearance

Specifies that the clearance is regulatory, indicating compliance with regulations.

awaiting the green light

Uses the idiomatic expression "green light" to represent approval, making it less formal.

subject to ratification

Focuses on the need for ratification, suggesting a formal agreement or treaty context.

pending administrative consent

Specifies that the consent is administrative, placing it within a bureaucratic context.

FAQs

How can I use "for formal approval" in a sentence?

You can use "for formal approval" to indicate that something needs to be officially authorized, as in "The proposal must be submitted "for formal approval" before the project can commence."

What are some alternatives to "for formal approval"?

Alternatives include "for official authorization", "to secure formal endorsement", or "to gain official sanction", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "formal approval"? Is there another type of approval?

Yes, there are informal approvals. "Formal approval" indicates an official, documented, and often regulated process, whereas an informal approval might be a verbal agreement or nod of acknowledgement.

When is "formal approval" necessary versus an informal agreement?

Formal approval is typically necessary in situations involving legal compliance, significant financial investments, or projects requiring regulatory oversight. Informal agreements are suitable for minor decisions or collaborations that do not carry substantial risk or impact.