that needs approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that needs approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that requires consent or validation before proceeding. Example: "The proposal is ready, but it that needs approval from the board before we can move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It will be what it will be", said Walsh regarding the tender offer, that needs approval of Indian authorities.

The Guardian - Business

Using data from this year's census, the Assembly and the Senate will draft a redistricting plan that needs approval by the governor and the United States Department of Justice.

The New York Times

The company proposed in May 2012 to expand its excavation, a plan that needs approval from the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The agreement abandoned the idea of a traditional international treaty with clear rules and fixed obligations, in recognition that the US would never sign on to an agreement that needed approval from a Republican-controlled Senate.

The Guardian

But FDA regulation, while costly (the application fee alone is more than $300,000) for the companies that need approval, makes sense if implemented with clarity and enough time to complete application.

TechCrunch

In addition the university has written institution-wide policies that describe the kinds of research activities that need approval from the IRB, and what information researchers should include when submitting research protocols to the IRB.

BMC Medical Ethics

Notable strengths of UB in this regard are the formation of the Office of Research and Development (ORD), the wide range of protocols that need approval from the IRB, and the fact that policies related to research ethics are easily accessible to researchers through the university intranet.

BMC Medical Ethics

Georgia is one of several states that needs federal approval before changing election policy because of a history of discriminatory voting practices.

The New York Times

It will mean that Ciudadanos will vote for Pedro Sánchez, the PSOE leader, when he goes before parliament this week to seek support to become prime minister, a move that needs the approval of a majority in the lower house.

The Guardian

In discussing the disease with Dr Cynthia Tifft, I was informed that Genzyme has a drug for LOTS that needs FDA approval.

Huffington Post

Since the project did not involve any harm or stress to the animals, it was not considered an animal experiment that needs further approval of the governmental competent authority (MELUR) according to the German Animal Welfare Act.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that needs approval", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what entity must grant the approval. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "that needs approval" without specifying who needs to grant the approval. For instance, instead of saying "The plan that needs approval is complex", specify: "The plan that needs approval from the committee is complex."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that needs approval" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a requirement for validation or permission. Ludwig AI validates this based on numerous examples where it specifies a condition for further action or legitimacy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that needs approval" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the requirement for validation or permission. Ludwig AI insights confirm it's often found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, possessing a neutral register suitable for a variety of applications. While "that needs approval" is useful, consider using alternatives like "that requires authorization" for formal settings. Always make sure to be precise about the entity or person that needs to grant approval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that requires authorization

Changes 'needs' to 'requires' and 'approval' to 'authorization', emphasizing a formal requirement.

that necessitates endorsement

Replaces 'needs' with 'necessitates' and 'approval' with 'endorsement', indicating a stronger need for support.

that demands validation

Substitutes 'needs approval' with 'demands validation', highlighting the importance of confirming its accuracy or legitimacy.

that is subject to ratification

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal term indicating official confirmation or sanction.

that is pending clearance

Focuses on the state of waiting for approval, implying a process that is not yet complete.

that awaits sanction

Uses 'awaits' to express anticipation of 'sanction', which is a formal type of approval.

that calls for consent

Emphasizes the need for agreement or permission, making it suitable in contexts where permission is key.

that requires the green light

Uses a more informal idiom ('green light') to mean 'approval', suitable for less formal contexts.

that is contingent on acceptance

Highlights that the item's future depends on it being accepted.

that must be authorized

Changes 'needs approval' to a passive construction using 'authorized', shifting the focus to the action of authorizing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that needs approval" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "that requires authorization", "that necessitates endorsement", or "that demands validation".

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

Yes, "that needs to be approved" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. The choice between the two often depends on the desired emphasis and sentence structure.

What's a less formal alternative to "that needs approval"?

In more casual contexts, you could say "that requires the green light" or simply "that needs a go-ahead".

Can "that needs approval" be used in all types of writing?

While generally acceptable, "that needs approval" might be perceived as slightly informal for highly academic or legal writing. In those contexts, consider more precise and formal alternatives like "that is subject to ratification" or "that requires official sanction".