ratified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ratified" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that an agreement, treaty, or document has been officially approved or confirmed. Example: "The treaty was ratified by the Senate after months of debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Reopening the Lisbon treaty and having to get it ratified by all member states is the last thing Merkel wants," said Kornelius.

The Guardian

It is understood the formal complaint warns that the Gulf state, which is a member of the ILO, "is in serious breach of its legal obligations" under the convention concerning forced labour, which it ratified more than 30 years ago.

The Guardian

Remember, 18 EU member states ratified the text that French and Dutch voters rejected.

The Guardian - Opinion

An RSF spokesperson said: "This is an encouraging gesture for freedom of information in the sultanate… The [Omani] laws on freedom of information, including online freedom of information, must be reformed so that they comply with international undertakings signed and ratified by the sultanate".

The Guardian

Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said if the parties ratified the agreement brokered today legislation could be put through parliament in January to devolve corporation tax poweres to the region.

The Guardian

Ireland's multibillion euro rescue package from the IMF and EU was today ratified by the republic's parliament.

The Guardian - Business

Moreover, the deal must be ratified by all 28 government chiefs in the council of ministers, by no means a foregone conclusion: Greece's new ruling party Syriza has warned it has no intention of approving the pact.

The Guardian - Business

Its constitution, ratified in a referendum in 2003, provides for a 45-member parliament, called the advisory council, with 30 elected members.

The Guardian - Opinion

The French delivered a loud non to Berlin's euro policies, handing a first-round victory to the socialist François Hollande, whose central campaign pledge was to reopen Chancellor Angela Merkel's eurozone fiscal pact, an international treaty signed by 25 EU leaders and currently being ratified.

The Guardian

"The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria has ratified, is unequivocal about this, stating: 'Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below 18 years of age'," he explains.

The Guardian

The Human Rights Act is based, of course, on the human rights convention, ratified by the UK as long ago as 1951.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ratified", ensure the context involves a formal agreement, treaty, or legal document. Avoid using it in informal contexts where simpler terms like "approved" or "confirmed" would suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "ratified" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Using a more common term like "approved" or "accepted" will make your language sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ratified" is as the past participle of the verb "ratify". It's used to indicate that an agreement or document has been formally approved. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "ratified" functions as a past participle indicating the formal approval of an agreement, primarily within legal, political, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and frequent usage across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While grammatically sound, its formal tone makes it less suitable for casual conversation, where synonyms like "approved" or "confirmed" might be more appropriate. Understanding its proper application can enhance precision and credibility in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approved

A more general term for agreement or endorsement.

confirmed

Indicates validation or verification of an agreement.

endorsed

Suggests support and advocacy for the agreement.

ratified and validated

Combines ratification with validation for emphasis on legitimacy

sanctioned

Implies authorization with a formal penalty for non-compliance.

validated

Highlights the establishment of legitimacy and correctness.

legislated

Focuses on the formal enactment through law.

decreed

Suggests an authoritative order or decision.

ordained

Implies a formal and often ceremonial establishment.

legalized

Highlights the act of making something lawful.

FAQs

How is "ratified" typically used in a sentence?

The term "ratified" is typically used to indicate that a formal agreement, treaty, or document has been officially approved or confirmed. For example, "The treaty was ratified by the Senate."

What are some synonyms for "ratified"?

Some synonyms for "ratified" include "approved", "confirmed", "endorsed", and "validated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "signed" and "ratified"?

"Signed" indicates that parties have formally indicated their initial agreement, while "ratified" means that the agreement has been officially approved by the relevant governing body or authority, making it legally binding.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "ratified"?

The word "ratified" is most appropriately used in legal, political, and formal business contexts when referring to the official approval of treaties, contracts, or other formal agreements.