to be approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be approved" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that the subject is waiting for approval from someone or some authority. Example: The proposal needs to be approved by the board before we can move forward with the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both now look likely to be approved.

The Economist

The agenda is expected to be approved.

The New York Times

But it needed 60 to be approved.

The New York Times

Dockery expects it to be approved.

The New Yorker

"The bill needs to be approved today.

The Guardian

And journalists have to be approved.

The Guardian

Any changes would have to be approved by Congress.

The New York Times

It is expected to be approved this fall.

The New York Times

That has to be approved by the full council.

The Guardian

Americans overwhelmingly want the legislation to be approved.

The New York Times

Any alterations would have to be approved by the commission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be approved", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what needs to grant the approval. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid sentences where it's unclear what is waiting for approval. Instead of saying "The project needs to be approved", specify "The project needs "to be approved by the committee"" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be approved" functions as a passive infinitive, typically used to indicate that a subject requires authorization or permission. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage across diverse contexts, emphasizing its role in conveying the necessity of validation or acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be approved" is a very common and grammatically correct passive infinitive phrase used to convey the need for authorization or permission. Ludwig AI indicates that it finds frequent application in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the entity responsible for granting the approval to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "to gain approval" or "to receive authorization" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gain approval

Focuses on the action of obtaining approval rather than the state of being approved.

to receive authorization

Emphasizes the formal aspect of granting permission.

to get the green light

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating permission to proceed.

to be sanctioned

Highlights the official endorsement or authorization of something.

to meet with approval

Suggests a positive reception or agreement.

to pass muster

Implies that something has met the required standards for acceptance.

to be ratified

Used when formal validation or confirmation is required.

to be validated

Emphasizes the verification or confirmation of something's correctness or legitimacy.

to secure endorsement

Highlights the act of obtaining support or recommendation.

to have the okay

Uses a colloquial term for permission or approval.

FAQs

How can I use "to be approved" in a sentence?

You can use "to be approved" to indicate that something is awaiting permission or authorization, for example: "The budget needs "to be approved by the board" before implementation."

What's a more formal way to say "to be approved"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "to receive authorization" or "to be sanctioned", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "to be approved"?

While "to be approved" is inherently passive, ensure the agent of approval is clear. If the agent is important, rewriting in the active voice (e.g., "The board must approve the budget") can be more direct.

What are some common synonyms for "to be approved"?

Synonyms include "to be accepted", "to be ratified", and "to be endorsed", each carrying slightly different connotations regarding the nature of the approval process.