made an approach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made an approach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of initiating contact or communication with someone, often for a specific purpose. Example: "The company made an approach to the local government to discuss potential partnerships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Yes, we've made an approach.

Independent

The Guardian understands that Essex have made an approach although Middlesex have not.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm surprised by this if Channel 4 has made an approach to them.

The Guardian

He revealed Liverpool had made an approach for his manager at Wigan, Roberto Martínez.

The Guardian - Sport

Irish manager Mick McCarthy, a former Millwall manager, has made an approach.

The Guardian - Sport

At least one company has made an approach, the person with knowledge of Fortune's plan said.

The New York Times

In a conference call Thursday afternoon, JetBlue's chief executive, David Barger, said Lufthansa first made an approach this summer.

The New York Times

Now comes today's Sunday Times report - unconfirmed by O'Brien's people - that Digicel has made an approach for Eircom.

The Guardian

Aulas's nose may have grown after he recently denied reports that he made an approach to Jose Mourinho last September.

The Guardian - Sport

Ferrovial first made an approach to BAA four months ago with an offer of 810p a share.

The Guardian - Business

Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev is understood to have made an approach to buy the London Evening Standard, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made an approach", ensure the context clearly indicates who initiated the action and the target of the approach. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "made an approach" when a definitive action has already occurred. This phrase suggests an initial attempt or overture, not a completed transaction or agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made an approach" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of contact or communication with a specific intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made an approach" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a contact or proposal. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and is very common, mostly found in news and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear regarding the initiator and target of the approach. While synonyms like "contacted" or "reached out" exist, "made an approach" specifies an intentional action towards engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contacted

Focuses solely on the act of initiating communication, omitting the potential underlying intention.

reached out

Emphasizes extending communication, often for assistance or collaboration.

submitted a proposal

Highlights the formal act of presenting an offer or plan.

initiated discussions

Focuses on the start of conversations regarding a specific matter.

put forward a proposition

Stresses the act of suggesting an idea or plan.

tabled an offer

Implies formally presenting an offer for consideration.

started negotiations

Highlights the beginning of a bargaining process.

lodged an application

Specifically refers to submitting a formal request.

signaled interest

Indicates expressing preliminary interest without making a concrete offer.

broached the subject

Emphasizes introducing a topic, often delicate or sensitive.

FAQs

How can I use "made an approach" in a sentence?

You can use "made an approach" to describe the act of initiating contact or communication, often with a specific goal. For example, "The company "made an approach" to the supplier to negotiate better terms".

What are some alternatives to "made an approach"?

Alternatives include "contacted", "reached out", or "submitted a proposal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "undertook an approach" instead of "made an approach"?

While "undertook an approach" isn't incorrect, ""made an approach"" is more common and idiomatic. "Undertook" is often used with more complex or lengthy processes.

What's the difference between "made an approach" and "submitted an offer"?

"Made an approach" suggests an initial attempt to start a conversation or negotiation. "Submitted an offer" indicates that a concrete proposal has been formally presented.