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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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formal approved

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal approved" is not correct in English.
You may be trying to convey that something has been officially approved in a formal manner. Example: "The document has been formally approved by the board of directors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Engineers, scientists, and technicians communicate technical information and data by formal, approved means through many different types of documents using hard copy and electronic media.

Institutional based formal approved letters were obtained from the hospital and then communicated to all conceivable departments.

Ansani et al. had designed a strategy to promote safe, innovative off-label use of medications that was a formal, approved, systematic approach for structured therapeutic guideline recommendations for innovative off-label drug use.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The January 2003 assessments were not formal National Intelligence Estimates, however, which means they were probably not formally approved by the intelligence chiefs.

News & Media

The New York Times

The study received formal ethical approval (approved protocol number- UI/EC/12/0160) from the Institutional Review Committee of University of Ibadan/ University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria (NHREC/05/01/2008a).

Northville, which was chosen through competitive bidding, must have a formal contract approved, the governor's office said.

News & Media

The New York Times

A new, formal constitution, approved by referendum in 2005 and promulgated in 2006, significantly devolved power to provincial administrations.

"They have hundreds of years of proven success on the ability to create meaning and deliver it through highly formal, socially approved, and traditional media".

News & Media

The New York Times

A formal statement approved by the Security Council asked Secretary General Kofi Annan to come up with ideas on how the United Nations could help demobilize Somalia's sparring militias and train the police to firm the grip of the transitional national government on the capital, Mogadishu.

News & Media

The New York Times

Subsequent workshops affirmed the guidelines established in the first conference, but plans to develop a formal standard (approved by a Standards Organization) were abandoned in favor of developing a community-supported TMA specification.

Any modifications to the study protocol which may impact on the conduct of the study, potential benefits of the participants or may affect their safety, including changes of study objectives, study design, participant population, sample sizes, study procedures, or significant administrative aspects will require a formal amendment approved by the principal investigators and HREC.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating official endorsement, replace "formal approved" with grammatically sound alternatives like "officially approved" or "formally authorized".

Common error

Avoid placing adjectives directly next to each other without proper modification (e.g., using an adverb) or a clear connection. Instead of saying "formal approved", use "officially approved".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal approved" functions as a descriptive element, aiming to characterize something as having undergone a formal process of endorsement. However, it's grammatically unconventional. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not a standard English construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "formal approved" attempts to convey official endorsement, it's not grammatically ideal. As Ludwig AI indicates, the construction is not standard English. It appears infrequently, primarily in scientific and news contexts. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, consider using alternatives such as "officially approved" or "formally authorized". These options provide greater clarity and are more widely accepted.

FAQs

What does "formal approved" mean?

The phrase "formal approved" is generally intended to describe something that has been officially endorsed or authorized through a formal process. However, it's not grammatically sound. It's better to use "officially approved" or "formally approved".

What are some alternatives to "formal approved"?

You can use alternatives like "officially approved", "formally authorized", or "duly approved" depending on the specific context.

Is "formal approved" grammatically correct?

No, "formal approved" is not grammatically correct. The adjective sequence is awkward. Using an adverb like in "formally approved" is better.

How can I use "officially approved" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The project received "officially approved" status after meeting all regulatory requirements." This demonstrates a more grammatically correct way to express the idea.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: