signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of signing a document or indicating approval or agreement. Example: "Please ensure that the contract is signed before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Australia had signed up to a commitment to actually having 0.7% of gross national income as a target by 2016.

The Guardian

For us, a release consists of both sending signed binaries to Maven Central and publishing a useful changelog on the web.

The Guardian

Now the Harlow MP's mandate will reach beyond policy to inform the way Tory candidates are selected, with an emphasis on diversity of class as much as ethnicity, and the way new supporters are signed up and engaged.

The Guardian - Opinion

You signed up for as much as you could at your "real" job and saved yourself thousands of pounds, and, yes, lunch-and-learns do count.

The Guardian

However, the Nobel committee's citation said the prize was a more general one, to mark "its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons" and nudge the few remaining nations that had not yet signed up to the organisation.

The Guardian

"I'm for looking at all of the terrorists' records – I just want their name on the warrant and I just want it to be signed by a judge just like the constitution says".

The Guardian

In total, only twelve of the fifty-four partieitherher signed the manifesto or agreed orally.

The Guardian

Congress won't have access to the TPP before it is signed, and the terms won't be publicly disclosed – ironic since the negotiations include 600 corporate advisers, including representatives of Halliburton and Caterpillar.

The Guardian - Business

Referring to a petition signed by more than 33,000 people, Bahreini added: "Thousands of people from around the world want to see Atena Farghadani and other prisoners of conscience released.

The Guardian

Ricky van Wolfswinkel, signed from Sporting Lisbon for £8.5m, has one in 22 Premier League appearances and Johan Elmander one in 25.

The Guardian - Sport

Would I have signed a statement just endorsing the Greens?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "signed" to indicate formal agreement or commitment to a document, treaty, or agreement.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a document is legally binding simply because it is "signed". Ensure that all other necessary conditions for enforceability, such as proper witnessing and delivery, are also met.

Linguistic Context

The term "signed" primarily functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'sign'. It indicates the action of affixing a signature to a document or agreement. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in contexts ranging from contracts to petitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "signed" is a grammatically correct and very common verb form used to indicate formal agreement or commitment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's versatile and appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts. Related phrases include "endorsed" and "ratified". When using "signed", ensure that all enforceability conditions are met, and be aware of the specific responsibilities the act of signing implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsed

Implies formal approval or support, similar to signing a document.

ratified

Suggests formal confirmation or validation, often used in legal or official contexts.

subscribed

Indicates agreement to receive something regularly or to support a cause.

contracted

Refers to entering into a formal agreement or contract.

approved

Denotes official acceptance or agreement.

authorized

Implies granting permission or power.

sealed

Suggests a binding agreement, often with a ceremonial element.

committed

Indicates a firm decision to do something.

pledged

Implies a solemn promise or undertaking.

consented

Shows voluntary agreement or permission.

FAQs

How is the term "signed" used in legal documents?

In legal documents, "signed" indicates that a party has formally agreed to the terms outlined. It signifies their consent and intent to be bound by the agreement. The signature serves as evidence of this commitment.

What's the difference between "signed" and "endorsed"?

"Signed" generally refers to formally marking a document to indicate agreement, whereas "endorsed" implies approval or support, which might not always involve a physical signature. For example, a check is signed, but a political candidate is endorsed.

Which is correct, "signed" or "countersigned"?

Both terms are correct, but they have different meanings. "Signed" means to simply affix one's signature. "Countersigned" means that another person also signs a document, usually to verify the first signature or to add another layer of approval.

What can I say instead of "signed up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "registered", "enrolled", or "joined". For example, "I signed up for the course" can be rephrased as "I registered for the course".