has signed off on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has signed off on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has given their approval or consent to something, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The manager has signed off on the budget proposal for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the Buildings Department has signed off on the project.

The New York Times

Once the product team has signed off on all tests, probationary trading begins.

Quality Money Management Process Engineering and Best Practices for Systematic Trading and Investment

The N.H.L. has signed off on Ilya Kovalchuk's latest contract with the Devils.

The New York Times

"Our insurer, a specialist in artworks, has signed off on the overall system".

The New York Times - Arts

"Senator Reid has signed off on the debt-ceiling agreement pending caucus approval," his office said.

The Washington Post

So far, however, no HHS secretary has signed off on those conditions.

The Washington Post

Nothing appears in the paper until the writer has signed off on the edited version.

The New York Times

"The attorney general has signed off on this," said the spokesman, Bryan Sierra.

The New York Times

To save the airlines from unraveling, President Bush has signed off on a bailout.

The New York Times

"An espionage target, a nuclear proliferation target, that all falls within FISA, and the court has signed off on that".

The New York Times

That draft is below, though a source cautions that no campaign has signed off on it so far.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has signed off on" to indicate that someone in a position of authority has formally approved or authorized something. It's appropriate in business, legal, and governmental contexts.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses with "signed off on". Ensure the auxiliary verb matches the subject and the intended tense (e.g., use "had signed off on" for past perfect tense rather than "has signed off on" when it should be the past perfect).

Linguistic Context

"Has signed off on" functions as a verb phrase indicating approval or authorization. It suggests that someone with authority has formally given their consent to something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has signed off on" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone in authority has given formal approval or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure correct verb tense and consider using synonyms like "has approved" or "has authorized" for variety or to fit a specific tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has approved

Direct synonym, implies formal acceptance or agreement.

has authorized

Similar to "has approved", but often suggests official permission or endorsement.

has endorsed

Suggests public support or recommendation, beyond mere approval.

has consented to

Implies agreement or permission, often in legal or formal contexts.

has given the green light

More informal, conveys the idea of permission to proceed.

has ratified

Formal agreement, often used in the context of treaties or contracts.

has validated

Confirms or substantiates, implying that something has been checked and found to be acceptable.

has assented to

Formal, implies agreement or concurrence.

has okayed

Informal synonym for approved.

has acquiesced to

Implies reluctant agreement or acceptance without protest.

FAQs

What does "has signed off on" mean?

The phrase "has signed off on" means that someone has officially approved or authorized something. It implies that the person in authority has given their consent or endorsement to a plan, document, or action.

What can I say instead of "has signed off on"?

You can use alternatives like "has approved", "has authorized", or "has endorsed" depending on the context.

Is "has signed off on" formal or informal?

"Has signed off on" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for professional communication, but there may be even more formal alternatives depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have signed off on"?

Yes, it is correct to say "have signed off on" when the subject is plural (e.g. "The committee members have signed off on the proposal"). Use "has signed off on" with singular subjects (e.g. "The manager has signed off on the budget").