on approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"on approval" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used in a legal context to indicate that a certain arrangement or agreement will go into effect only when it has been approved by a certain party or a specified authority. For example, "The landlord and tenant agreed to the terms of the lease on approval of the local zoning board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The F.D.A. is scheduled to decide on approval by December.

The New York Times - Health

Dealers would ship him boxfuls of postcards on approval.

The New York Times - Arts

She is insisting on approval for cast and script.

The New York Times - Arts

The deal is contingent on approval from the league's Board of Governors.

The New York Times

However, Cameron continues to lead the pack on approval ratings, they found.

The Guardian

Babies do not come on approval, to be rejected if they do not suit.

The Guardian

The deal depends on approval by shareholders, the Pentagon and the Justice Department.

The New York Times

The deal is conditional on approval from the Competition and Markets Authority.

The Guardian - Sport

The gift hinges on approval from the museum's board, Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

The trade was contingent on approval of the players' medical records.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mozilla has done a number of posts recently on its Add-ons Blog to talk about the add-on approval process (here's a good one from last month).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on approval", clearly state who needs to grant the approval to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "on approval by the board" rather than just "on approval".

Common error

Avoid assuming that preliminary discussions or initial agreements constitute full approval. Always ensure that the final, official approval has been granted before proceeding as if the condition has been met.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on approval" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It specifies a condition that must be met for an action or agreement to be valid. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used in contexts where a decision or action is dependent on authorization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on approval" is a prevalent phrase employed to indicate that an action, agreement, or decision is conditional upon acceptance or authorization from a specified entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and business communications. To ensure clarity, explicitly state who needs to grant the approval. While it is considered a neutral phrase, its formality may vary depending on the context. Alternative phrases like "subject to endorsement" or "contingent upon agreement" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditional on acceptance

This emphasizes the 'if-then' nature of the approval process; if accepted, then the condition is met.

contingent upon agreement

This alternative specifies that the outcome is directly dependent on a mutual understanding and acceptance.

based on consent

This alternative emphasizes the need for explicit agreement or permission.

subject to endorsement

This alternative emphasizes the need for formal support or validation, often by a higher authority.

subject to clearance

This implies a check or screening process before approval is given.

pending authorization

This alternative highlights the waiting period for official permission to be granted.

dependent on ratification

This alternative suggests a more formal or legal confirmation process.

if sanctioned

This alternative suggests a formal decree or authorization is required.

requiring validation

This specifies the need for something to be proven or confirmed as legitimate.

needing the green light

This is a more informal way of saying that something needs permission to proceed.

FAQs

What does "on approval" mean in a contract?

In a contract, "on approval" means that the agreement is not finalized until a specific party or authority formally accepts or ratifies it. Until approval is given, the terms are not binding.

How can I use "on approval" in a sentence?

You can use "on approval" to indicate a condition that must be met before something can proceed. For example, "The deal is contingent "contingent on agreement" from the regulators."

What's a more formal way to say "on approval"?

More formal alternatives include "subject to endorsement", "pending authorization", or "conditional on acceptance".

What's the difference between "on approval" and "subject to contract"?

"On approval" typically refers to a specific entity's agreement, while "subject to contract" means that no legally binding agreement exists until a formal contract is signed. Therefore, "conditional on acceptance" of one or more conditions is an important consideration.