initial approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial approval" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first stage of consent or agreement in a process, such as project proposals or applications. Example: "We have received initial approval from the board to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3 4 After their initial approval, many new drugs are approved for additional clinical indications.

British Medical Journal

(3)Initial approval.

Cornell University

Both won initial approval in February 2004.

The New York Times

The Venezuelans gave their initial approval.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of the initial approval of the ruling by W.T.O.

The New York Times

Another new game, the New Orleans Bowl, received initial approval for the 2001 season.

The New York Times - Sports

New Covenant received its initial approval a mere three months before it opened.

The New York Times

College of Chemistry students: Complete the forms and submit for initial approval to your staff adviser.

University of California, Berkeley

Non-CoC students: Submit the completed forms to your home college for initial approval.

University of California, Berkeley

The measure on gun possession and domestic violence won initial approval on Friday afternoon.

The New York Times

The initial approval came in a vote by Unesco's 58-nation executive board.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the scope and limitations of the "initial approval" to avoid overreach. For example, indicate if it covers only a pilot phase or a specific budget amount.

Common error

Don't treat "initial approval" as a done deal. It's just the first step. Continue diligently with subsequent requirements to avoid jeopardizing the entire process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial approval" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or following a preposition. Ludwig examples confirm that it denotes the beginning phase of an authorization process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial approval" is a commonly used phrase indicating preliminary consent or authorization, often preceding further stages of evaluation. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and academic writing. Remembering that initial approval does not guarantee final approval is crucial to correctly managing expectations and project timelines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary endorsement

Suggests a weaker form of support, often implying further review is needed.

first-stage authorization

Specifically emphasizes the sequential aspect of the approval process.

provisional agreement

Highlights the temporary nature of the approval, subject to change.

early-stage endorsement

Focuses on the timing within a project or process.

preliminary clearance

Indicates the removal of initial obstacles or objections.

advance consent

Highlights that the consent is given before the actual action.

initial go-ahead

An informal expression signifying the beginning of a project.

pre-approval

Implies an evaluation made in advance to determine future eligibility or suitability.

starting permission

Suggests permission to commence an activity, though further approvals may be required.

tentative assent

Emphasizes uncertainty or a lack of full commitment in the approval.

FAQs

What does "initial approval" mean?

The term "initial approval" refers to the first stage of a process where consent or agreement is given. It indicates preliminary authorization but doesn't guarantee final or complete approval.

How to use "initial approval" in a sentence?

You can use "initial approval" to describe the beginning stages of an acceptance process, for example: "The project received "initial approval" from the committee, but still needs further revisions."

What can I say instead of "initial approval"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary approval", "tentative assent", or "first stage authorization" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "initial approval" and "final approval"?

"Initial approval" signifies the preliminary stage of agreement, whereas "final approval" means that all requirements have been met and the project/request is completely authorized.