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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
formal approved
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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 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).
Science
Northville, which was chosen through competitive bidding, must have a formal contract approved, the governor's office said.
News & Media
A new, formal constitution, approved by referendum in 2005 and promulgated in 2006, significantly devolved power to provincial administrations.
Encyclopedias
"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
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
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.
Science
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".
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
officially approved
Replaces the adjective sequence with an adverb modifying the adjective for better flow.
formally authorized
Uses an adverb to modify the verb "authorized", clarifying the manner of authorization.
duly approved
Emphasizes the correctness and appropriateness of the approval.
officially sanctioned
Implies an authoritative endorsement, typically by an official body.
formally endorsed
Suggests a public or explicit approval, often with enthusiasm.
properly approved
Highlights the correctness and adherence to procedure in the approval process.
approved through formal channels
Specifies the means by which the approval was obtained.
subject to formal approval
Indicates that approval is required following an official process.
approved after formal review
Highlights that approval was granted after an official assessment.
with formal approval
General alternative highlighting that approval was formal
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested