formally approve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formally approve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the official endorsement or validation of a decision, document, or proposal in a professional or legal context. Example: "The board will formally approve the new policy during the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Speaking generally, Green said his office would never formally approve or disapprove a drug or procedure.

The New York Times - Sports

The board will vote on whether to formally approve the service changes on March 24.

The New York Times

The G20 will formally approve the OECD's plan at a summit in Australia on September 20th.

The Economist

The European Union is expected to formally approve new rules on cross-border insolvencies next year.

The Economist

A court hearing will be held on Friday to formally approve the application for pardon.

The New York Times

The full Board of Regents, which sets education policy, is set to formally approve the ban on Tuesday.

The New York Times

The Council is expected to meet next week to formally approve the budget, which would go into effect July 1.

The New York Times

The Justice Department does not have to formally approve the merger, although it can object to try to block it.

The New York Times - Tech

(This panel of outside experts doesn't formally approve new drugs, but makes influential recommendations to the agency).

The New York Times - Magazine

China, the world's biggest climate polluter, said it would formally approve the agreement before the G20 meeting in September.

The Guardian

The prime minister will address the House of Commons, which must formally approve the date for the referendum.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formally approve", ensure that the context clearly indicates the authority or body granting the approval. Specify who is doing the approving and what is being approved.

Common error

Avoid using "formally approve" without specifying who is granting the approval. For example, instead of saying "The plan was formally approved", specify "The board formally approved the plan" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formally approve" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an official action of endorsing or validating something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's commonly used in contexts where the approval is not just implied but is explicitly and officially granted. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from budget approvals to drug authorizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formally approve" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the official endorsement or validation of something. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is predominantly found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts, signifying decisions made by authorities. When using "formally approve", it's best practice to explicitly mention the approving entity for clarity and precision. Alternatives such as "officially sanction" or "ratify" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. Remember to avoid ambiguity by always specifying who is doing the approving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

officially sanction

Replaces "approve" with "sanction", emphasizing the authorization aspect.

give official approval to

Adds "give official approval to", making the phrase more descriptive.

ratify

Uses the single word "ratify", implying formal confirmation or consent.

endorse officially

Swaps "approve" with "endorse", which highlights support and approval.

authorize formally

Replaces "approve" with "authorize", focusing on the granting of power or right.

validate officially

Uses "validate officially" to emphasize confirmation of correctness or legitimacy.

accredit

Uses the single word "accredit", indicating an official recognition or authorization.

formally validate

Inverts the order to "formally validate", keeping the core meaning intact.

officially recognize

Substitutes "approve" with "recognize", highlighting acknowledgment and acceptance.

give the green light

Replaces "formally approve" with the idiomatic expression "give the green light", indicating permission to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "formally approve" in a sentence?

You can use "formally approve" to describe the act of officially endorsing or validating something, such as "The committee will formally approve the budget next week" or "The FDA must formally approve the new drug before it can be marketed".

What phrases are similar to "formally approve"?

Alternatives include phrases like "officially sanction", "ratify", or "endorse officially". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "formally approve"?

While "approve" itself implies a degree of endorsement, "formally approve" emphasizes that the approval is official, documented, and adheres to established procedures. It's not always redundant, especially when highlighting the official nature of the approval is important.

What's the difference between "formally approve" and "accept"?

"Accept" generally means to receive or agree to something, while "formally approve" implies an official endorsement by an authority. You might accept a proposal, but a governing body would formally approve it.