it was signed off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was signed off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been officially approved or authorized, often in a business or formal context. Example: "The project proposal was signed off by the management team after thorough review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was signed off "Blessings".

The Guardian - Travel

It was signed off with a smiley emoticon.

The Guardian - Tech

Google bosses were shown a cut of the film three months before it was signed off.

The Guardian - Film

"At the end of last year after looking carefully at it, it was signed off by external auditors".

The Guardian - Business

He said that the publication of the guidance was "fairly imminent" once it was signed off by the minister.

The Guardian

It was signed off by a member of the management board and though they have been named in the MacQuarrie report, the BBC would not identify them yesterday.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But consider this: back in May, PwC plainly was not entirely comfortable with the numbers it was signing off for Tesco.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is signed off "Fanks".

The Guardian

National leaders are to examine the scheme before it is signed off at an EU summit next month.

The Guardian

However, the company has yet to make a final investment decision on Hornsea Project Two and a spokesman said it could be two years before it is signed off.

The Guardian

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann of West Midlands was also criticised for attempting to access the final report of the misconduct investigation prior to it being signed off by the IPCC.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was signed off" to clearly indicate that something has received official approval or authorization, particularly in formal or business contexts. Ensure the context makes it clear who signed off on the item or action.

Common error

Avoid using "it was signed off" without specifying who signed it off. Lack of clarity makes the sentence weak. Instead of saying "It was signed off", specify "The project was signed off by the director."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was signed off" functions as a passive construction indicating that something has received official approval or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show its application in contexts ranging from project proposals to legal documents.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was signed off" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate official approval or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase is best used when you need to explicitly state that something has been formally approved, particularly in a business or official context. Remember to specify who signed it off to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "it received approval" or "it was approved" for simpler phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it received approval

Replaces "signed off" with the more direct term "approval".

it was approved

Simplifies the phrase by using the passive voice of "approve".

it was authorized

Substitutes "signed off" with the formal term "authorized".

it gained clearance

Indicates that the item or action has passed necessary checks.

it was endorsed

Suggests a stronger level of support or recommendation.

it was ratified

Implies formal confirmation, often by a governing body.

it was sanctioned

Indicates official permission or approval, often in a legal context.

it was given the green light

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey approval.

it was cleared

Short and simple, meaning that it was authorized.

it was given the go-ahead

Uses another common idiom to express permission to proceed.

FAQs

What does "it was signed off" mean?

The phrase "it was signed off" means that something has been officially approved or authorized, usually by someone in a position of authority.

What can I say instead of "it was signed off"?

You can use alternatives like "it received approval", "it was approved", or "it was authorized" depending on the context.

Is "it was signed off" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was signed off" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in business and professional settings.

How to use "it was signed off" in a sentence?

You can use "it was signed off" to indicate that a document, plan, or proposal has been officially approved, for example: "The budget proposal "it was signed off" by the board of directors last week".