had ratified a document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had ratified a document" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the formal approval or confirmation of a document, typically in legal, governmental, or organizational settings. Example: "The committee had ratified a document outlining the new policies before the meeting concluded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ukraine's parliament has ratified an agreement that will integrate the country with the European Union – the same document which the former president Viktor Yanukovych backed out of signing last year, leading to protests that ended in revolution.

The Guardian

The Supreme Court had ratified the transition in a ruling earlier in the day.

The New York Times

A statement said Mr. Arafat had ratified the sentences.

The New York Times

All spacefaring nations, as well as many other nations, have ratified the Outer Space Treaty, a document that outlines a number of principles for human activity in space.

Johns Hopkins University

The Czech Parliament has ratified the document but Mr. Klaus has so far refused to sign it.

The New York Times

In witness whereof, by the authority duly entrusted to us, we the President and Dean, on this (Day) day of (Month) in the year (Year) A.D. and of Harvard College the year (Harvard Year), having ratified this document with the University seal, have hereunder written our names.

Harvard University

Regardless that 156 countries have signed the Convention and 133 have ratified the document, our disability leaders know that ratification is not enough.

Huffington Post

The Secretary then issued a proclamation reciting that 29 states, including the two that had rescinded and the three which had ratified after first rejecting, had ratified, which was one more than the necessary three-fourths.

Cornell University

It has ratified the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, is a member of the United Nations, and has signed and/or ratified other human rights agreements.

Cornell University

Treaties only come into force when a specified number of countries have ratified it.

WikiHow

Even where governments have ratified it, petty officials can be bribed to turn a blind eye.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "had ratified a document", ensure the context clearly indicates that the act of ratification was a formal or official procedure, such as in legal, governmental, or organizational settings.

Common error

Avoid using "had ratified a document" in informal contexts. Ratification implies a formal process, so using it when a simple agreement or approval would suffice can sound unnecessarily bureaucratic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had ratified a document" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating that the action of ratifying the document was completed before another point in the past. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had ratified a document" is a grammatically correct construction used to express the formal approval of a document before a certain point in the past. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for formal contexts such as legal, governmental, and organizational settings. Though grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare. Alternatives such as "had approved a document" or "had endorsed a document" may be suitable in less formal scenarios. It is important to reserve this phrase for situations where formal validation is specifically implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had approved a document

Replaces "ratified" with "approved", indicating a less formal agreement.

had endorsed a document

Substitutes "ratified" with "endorsed", suggesting support and recommendation rather than formal ratification.

had validated a document

Replaces "ratified" with "validated", implying that the document's legitimacy has been confirmed.

had sanctioned a document

Replaces "ratified" with "sanctioned", suggesting official permission or approval.

had confirmed a document

Uses "confirmed" in place of "ratified", meaning to verify or establish the truth or accuracy of the document.

had formally adopted a document

Replaces "ratified" with "formally adopted", indicating the document has been officially accepted and implemented.

had officially approved a document

Replaces "ratified" with "officially approved", adding emphasis on the official nature of the approval.

had given assent to a document

Uses the phrase "given assent" instead of "ratified", which means to express approval or agreement.

had legalized a document

Implies that the document's status was made legal through the act of ratification, replacing "ratified" with "legalized".

had enacted a document

Suggests that the document has been put into effect, substituting "ratified" with "enacted".

FAQs

What does "had ratified a document" mean?

The phrase "had ratified a document" means that a document was formally approved or confirmed, typically by a governing body or authorized entity. It implies that all necessary procedures for validation have been completed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "had ratified a document"?

It's appropriate to use "had ratified a document" in contexts where formal approval is required, such as legal agreements, treaties, or official policy changes within an organization. You can replace it with alternatives like "had approved a document" or "had endorsed a document" in less formal scenarios.

What are some alternatives to "had ratified a document"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "had approved a document", "had endorsed a document", or "had validated a document". The best choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had ratified a document" the same as "had signed a document"?

No, "had ratified a document" and "had signed a document" are not the same. Signing a document indicates agreement or participation, while ratifying a document implies formal approval, often by a governing body, making it legally binding.