verbal approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"verbal approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the confirmation or endorsement of something in spoken form. For example, "She gave me verbal approval to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The study was approved by the Regional Ethics Committee at Linköping University; all patients obtained written information and gave their informed verbal approval before the surgery, as approved by the ethics committee considering that the procedure posed no discomfort or threat to the health of the patients.

Plosone

and received verbal approval from your faculty advisor to pursue a thesis.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The secretary agreed and, sometime after Sept. 20, secured verbal approval from the president for the program.

The New York Times

Positive reinforcers include smiles, verbal approval, tangible rewards, earned points, commendations and the appreciation of peers and teachers.

The Guardian

We are buying the co-op apartment next door, and the board has given verbal approval for us to connect the two apartments by removing a common wall.

The New York Times

In U.S. society there is also a semiconscious fear that the giving and receiving of verbal approval between men is somehow effeminate much better to do it with a slap on the back.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It's also unclear what exactly Musk means by "verbal government approval," [Update 11 41 AM PT: Bloomberg reports it was approval from within the White House] and whether that means he has the 'okay' to proceed with a proposal, or to actually start digging.

TechCrunch

His initial statement about "verbal govt approval" has been retweeted more than 34,000 times.

The Guardian - Tech

Indeed, he launched a thousand hot takes when he tweeted, last week, that he had "received verbal govt approval" to begin digging tunnels along the Eastern seaboard.

The New Yorker

The news was hinted at when Musk announced a "verbal government approval" for an underground Hyperloop from New York City to Washington D.C. and a Bloomberg report last week added to the buzz but it was only confirmed for the first time today by Wired.

MIT Technology Review

Last month, however, Elon Musk noted that he had received "verbal government approval" to build a large underground Hyperloop network linking major city centers across multiple states.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting approvals, always follow up "verbal approval" with a written confirmation to avoid future disputes or misunderstandings.

Common error

Don't rely solely on "verbal approval" for critical decisions. Always seek written confirmation, especially in formal settings or when dealing with substantial agreements, to ensure clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "verbal approval" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes the act of giving permission or consent through spoken words. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verbal approval" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase signifying spoken consent or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively common across diverse fields like science, news, and academia, it is crucial to remember that "verbal approval" might not carry the same weight as its written counterpart, especially in formal or legally sensitive situations. Therefore, always follow "verbal approval" with written confirmation to prevent potential misunderstandings. Consider synonyms such as "oral authorization" or "spoken consent" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oral authorization

Focuses on the spoken nature of the authorization, similar to verbal approval.

spoken consent

Highlights the agreement aspect, emphasizing that it was communicated verbally.

vocal agreement

Emphasizes the act of agreeing through speech.

expressed assent

A more formal way to indicate verbal agreement or consent.

unwritten permission

Contrasts with written forms, highlighting the informal nature of the approval.

nod of acceptance

Implies approval given nonverbally, but acknowledged.

go-ahead signal

Emphasizes permission to proceed.

OK to proceed

Highlights the permission to continue with a task or project.

informal endorsement

Highlights the unofficial yet supportive nature of the approval.

green light

Idiomatic expression signifying permission to start a project.

FAQs

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

You can use "verbal approval" to describe a situation where permission or consent was given orally. For example: "The project received "verbal approval" from the manager, but written confirmation is still pending."

What is an alternative to saying "verbal approval"?

You could use alternatives such as "oral authorization", "spoken consent", or "unwritten permission" depending on the context.

Is "verbal approval" legally binding?

The legal enforceability of "verbal approval" depends on the specific situation and jurisdiction. It's generally less reliable than written approval, which provides a clear record of the agreement.

What's the difference between "verbal approval" and "written approval"?

"Verbal approval" is communicated orally, while "written approval" is documented in writing. Written approval offers better proof and clarity compared to "verbal approval".