needs approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the need for someone to sign off on or approve an idea, plan, or decision. For example: My supervisor said the new project needs approval before we can move forward.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It still needs approval from Chinese regulators.

The New York Times

It next needs approval from Governor Pataki.

The New York Times

The company still needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

The New York Times

The plan needs approval of both states' governors.

The New York Times

The package still needs approval by the House.

The New York Times

"This right is neither awarded nor needs approval by others".

The New York Times

The deal still needs approval by some national Parliaments.

The New York Times

A bidder needs approval from three-quarters of the owners.

The New York Times - Sports

The construction plan still needs approval from state lawmakers.

The New York Times - Sports

The deal also needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

The New York Times

But the decree needs approval from both houses of Parliament within 60 days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs approval", clearly state who or what entity needs to provide the approval to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needs approval" without specifying who is responsible for granting the approval. This can lead to confusion and delays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs approval" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject requires authorization or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needs approval" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to express that something requires authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans from news and business contexts to academic settings. To ensure clarity, always specify the source from which approval is needed. While alternatives like "requires authorization" exist, "needs approval" remains a straightforward and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires authorization

Focuses on the formal requirement of authorization.

requires permission

Emphasizes the necessity of gaining explicit permission.

demands ratification

Highlights the need for formal confirmation or validation.

necessitates endorsement

Indicates a strong need for support or backing.

is subject to clearance

Points out the condition of needing to be cleared or vetted.

is pending authorization

Specifies that the approval process is still underway.

calls for validation

Highlights the need for something to be proven or confirmed as valid.

awaits sanction

Emphasizes waiting for formal approval or penalty.

must be cleared

Stresses the obligation to get approval before proceeding.

is awaiting the green light

An idiomatic expression indicating that permission is pending.

FAQs

How is "needs approval" typically used in a sentence?

It is commonly used to indicate that a plan, document, or action requires authorization from a specific person or body before it can proceed. For example, "The budget "needs approval" from the board of directors".

What are some alternatives to "needs approval"?

You can use alternatives like "requires authorization", "requires permission", or "is subject to clearance" depending on the context. See the "requires authorization" alternative to explore more options.

Is it correct to say "needs to be approved" instead of "needs approval"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "needs approval" is more concise and direct. "Needs to be approved" is a passive construction, while "needs approval" is active.

What's the difference between "needs approval" and "requires approval"?

The terms are largely interchangeable and share very similar meanings. However, "requires approval" might imply a more formal or stringent necessity, whereas "needs approval" is slightly more general.