secure approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"secure approval" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are asking for permission to do something, or if you are seeking approval for a plan or idea. For example: "We need to secure approval from our supervisor before proceeding with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To secure approval of the deal, the company agreed to sell off assets in seven markets.

The New York Times

Capital One needs support from a majority of the board's five governors to secure approval.

The New York Times

They promised to secure approval by the full House in 10 days.

The New York Times

The museum hopes to secure approval for a final version in late spring.

The Washington Post

But many companies use their Web sites to advise potential customers to secure approval from building management.

The New York Times

Koolhaas was delighted — if oma had a powerful supporter in the Party, perhaps the CCTV project would secure approval, too.

The New Yorker

Completion is expected in 2016 but the merger must first secure approval from the EU competition authorities.

The Guardian - Business

Heathrow is hoping an 11th-hour push pegged to Brexit will secure approval to build a third runway.

The Guardian

To secure approval, the city made commitments to acquire a building and produce at least 120 single-room-occupancy units.

The New York Times

Before starting work, permit needed or not, you'll have to secure approval from the co-op or condo board.

The New York Times

Matriculated students must secure approval in advance for courses they wish to take elsewhere if transfer credit is desired.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "secure approval" to emphasize the proactive effort required to obtain authorization, especially in business or academic contexts.

Common error

While "secure approval" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in very informal settings. Alternatives like "get the go-ahead" may be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure approval" functions as a verb phrase, where "secure" acts as a transitive verb and "approval" is its direct object. This construction signifies the action of successfully obtaining authorization or agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secure approval" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the act of obtaining authorization or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and is widely used across various contexts. The examples show its prevalence in news media, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. Alternatives include "obtain consent" or "get the go-ahead", but "secure approval" maintains a formal tone suitable for professional communication. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure its appropriateness, avoiding overuse in highly informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain consent

Focuses on getting permission, especially in legal or ethical contexts.

get the go-ahead

Implies receiving permission to proceed, often in informal settings.

acquire authorization

Stresses formally obtaining permission or legal right.

gain endorsement

Highlights receiving support or recommendation from someone.

garner support

Suggests collecting or gathering support from multiple sources.

attain clearance

Emphasizes achieving a necessary level of permission, often in security or regulatory contexts.

win backing

Emphasizes earning support or agreement from a group or individual.

procure agreement

Implies actively obtaining an agreement through negotiation or effort.

lock down authorization

Implies making sure authorization is guaranteed.

nail down acceptance

Implies ensuring a positive resolution and the finalization of the acceptance.

FAQs

What does "secure approval" mean?

The phrase "secure approval" means to successfully obtain permission, authorization, or agreement for a proposed action or plan.

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

You can use "secure approval" in sentences such as: "The company needed to secure approval from the board before proceeding with the merger" or "The researcher had to secure approval from the ethics committee before starting the study."

What are some alternatives to "secure approval"?

Some alternatives to "secure approval" include "obtain consent", "get the go-ahead", or "gain endorsement", depending on the specific context.

Is "secure approval" formal or informal?

"Secure approval" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for business, academic, and professional communications. For very informal settings, phrases like "get the go-ahead" might be more appropriate.