initialed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initialed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a document or agreement that has been signed or marked with initials by a person to indicate approval or acknowledgment. Example: "The contract was initialed by both parties to confirm their agreement to the terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were initialed by the head of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, and Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hoess.

The New York Times

The document was initialed by Mr. Causey and Mr. Fastow, the indictment says.

The New York Times

The text of the Association Agreement was initialed by the two sides in March 2012, and last July the free trade component of the accord was also initialed.

The New York Times

The document was initialed by General McColl and Mr. Qanooni on Monday, and approved this week by the 17 nations that will contribute troops.

The New York Times

Mr. Sher said such a document, in the manner of a Clinton legacy, may or may not be initialed by Mr. Barak and Yasir Arafat.

The New York Times

In addition to Mr. Tandy, the document was also initialed by James Avouris, another Ford engineer who produced the affidavit last week that the Explorer had been tested.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A codicil has to be created and initialled by you and both witnesses.

Independent

RCAd11p replication was initialled by virus own transcription elements.

Plosone

These log sheets were checked and initialled by parents at the end of each day.

BMC Public Health

"Let me put it this way," said a Pentagon spokesman, Geoff Morrell, using the initials by which the Kurdistan Workers Party is known.

The New York Times

We (my 5 siblings and I) even added our initials by every toy so not to confuse our parents.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initialed by", ensure the context clearly indicates that the initials represent an agreement or approval, not just a casual marking.

Common error

Avoid using "initialed by" when a full signature or more formal approval is required; initials usually denote preliminary agreement or acknowledgement, not full legal commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initialed by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (initialing) was performed on something (a document, agreement) by a specific agent. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable in written English. Many examples illustrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initialed by" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that a document or agreement has been marked with initials as a sign of acknowledgement or preliminary approval. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While its register is generally neutral, its usage is most frequent in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. Remember that while initials indicate approval, it's a less formal method compared to full signatures, as such, in a formal agreement you may consider alternatives such as "approved by" or "endorsed by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsed by

Implies a more formal approval or support.

approved by

Suggests official authorization or sanction.

signed off on by

Indicates final approval, often in a business context.

ratified by

Suggests a formal agreement or confirmation.

authorized by

Implies granting permission or power.

validated by

Implies confirmation of accuracy or legitimacy.

sanctioned by

Implies official permission or approval, often from a governing body.

countersigned by

Indicates a second signature to confirm the first.

cleared by

Suggests passing a security or approval check.

okayed by

A more informal way of saying 'approved by'.

FAQs

What does "initialed by" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, "initialed by" typically signifies preliminary approval or acknowledgement of a document's contents, falling short of a full "signed by" agreement.

When is it appropriate to use "initialed by" instead of "signed by"?

Use "initialed by" when referring to a document that has been marked with initials to indicate agreement on specific sections, reserving "signed by" for complete and legally binding agreements.

How does a document being "initialed by" someone affect its legal validity?

A document "initialed by" someone generally indicates their awareness of the content at that specific point. It may not represent a binding agreement, but rather an acknowledgement. If you want to indicate a formal agreement, use an alternative phrase like "approved by" instead.

Are there alternatives to saying a document was "initialed by" someone?

Yes, depending on the context, you could say the document was "endorsed by", "approved by", or "acknowledged by" the person.