must be approved

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be approved" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as an imperative (a command) and is often used to express that something is required or necessary. For example: "All expenditure over $500 must be approved by the Board of Directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Visits must be approved, and rarely are.

The New York Times

(Dempsey must be approved by the Senate).

The New Yorker

Most deportations must be approved by judges.

The New York Times

But it must be approved by Congress.

The Washington Post

The electives must be approved by petition.

University of California, Berkeley

Proposals must be approved by the director.

Stanford University

UROP must be approved by minor advisor.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Substitute courses must be approved in advance.

Stanford University

The designation must be approved by Gov. George E. Pataki.

The New York Times

The agreement must be approved by regulators and stockholders.

The New York Times

Any new pension methodology must be approved by Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be approved", clearly state who or what entity needs to provide the approval.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who or what body is responsible for granting the approval when using the phrase "must be approved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be approved" functions as a passive construction indicating a necessary condition of permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights that an action or item requires formal validation before it can proceed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be approved" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a mandatory requirement for authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as academic settings. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly identify the approving authority to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "requires approval" and "is subject to approval", offering nuanced ways to convey the same core meaning. Ludwig's examples show its versatility and the importance of clarity in its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires approval

This alternative places emphasis on the necessity of obtaining approval.

needs to be authorized

This alternative highlights the need for official authorization.

is subject to approval

This alternative indicates that something is conditional upon approval.

is pending approval

This suggests that approval is awaited but not yet granted.

requires validation

This highlights the need for something to be validated.

demands endorsement

This alternative emphasizes the need for formal support or endorsement.

necessitates clearance

This indicates a need for official clearance or permission.

is contingent on approval

This shows the conditional nature of something based on approval.

is conditional upon endorsement

Highlights that some matter depends on acceptance and support.

approval is mandatory

This alternative stresses the mandatory nature of the approval process.

FAQs

What does "must be approved" mean?

The phrase "must be approved" signifies that something requires authorization or permission from a designated authority before it can proceed or be considered valid.

What can I say instead of "must be approved"?

You can use alternatives like "requires approval", "needs to be authorized", or "is subject to approval", depending on the specific context.

How do I use "must be approved" in a sentence?

You can use "must be approved" in sentences like: "The budget must be approved by the finance committee" or "All changes must be approved before implementation".

Is there a difference between "must be approved" and "should be approved"?

Yes, "must be approved" indicates a mandatory requirement, while "should be approved" suggests a recommendation or preference but not necessarily a strict requirement.