without my approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without my approval" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something should not happen or be done unless it has been authorized or agreed upon by the speaker. Example: "No changes to the project can be made without my approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I return herewith, without my approval.

The New Yorker

"I return herewith, without my approval..

The New Yorker

But to lift material, without my approval, is theft.

The New Yorker

"They can't cast the show without my approval," he told The Telegraph.

The New York Times

"Nothing in this place was bought without my approval," he added.

The New York Times

"Construction is going ahead without my approval," he told Vanity Fair in December.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In response to concerns from a senior executive about information leaking to the marketplace, an executive in JPMorgan Chase's investment bank promised that the group investigating the trades "speaks to no one" without "my express approval first".

The New York Times

You will not arrest another single individual without my specific approval!' " Leadbetter testified in court that he could not understand DeVecchio's agitation until sometime later, when he learned that Scarpa had been at the New Jersey apartment earlier that day and had narrowly avoided being arrested himself.

The New Yorker

After that, you will be able to ask questions and add comments, invite friends to the discussion or link to an outside post or tweet, without a delay for my approval, and the whole conversation will appear here on the blog.

The New York Times

"Whatever Ms. Brooks chose to do, she did completely on her own without my knowledge or approval," Mr. Taubman, 75, said.

The New York Times

The papers kept printing his original statement: "The marriage comes as a complete surprise to me and was done without my knowledge or approval.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider using stronger synonyms like "without my explicit consent" or "without my express authorization" when the situation warrants a more forceful statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming that silence or lack of immediate objection equates to approval. Explicitly state the requirement for approval to prevent actions being taken under false assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without my approval" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of consent or authorization for a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples, showing it frequently describes actions taken against established protocols.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without my approval" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that an action has been taken or a decision has been made without the speaker's consent or authorization. Ludwig AI underscores the versatility of this phrase, highlighting its prevalence in News & Media. While alternatives like "without my consent" and "lacking my endorsement" exist, the key is to ensure clarity regarding whose approval is necessary and to avoid assumptions of implied consent. Understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives can significantly enhance the precision and impact of one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without my consent

Emphasizes the absence of voluntary agreement or permission.

not having my authorization

Focuses on the absence of official permission.

lacking my endorsement

Emphasizes the absence of support or formal agreement.

not cleared by me

Focuses on the lack of clearance or permission from the speaker.

absent my sanction

Highlights the lack of formal permission or authoritative allowance.

without my say-so

Informal way to express lack of permission or authorization.

contrary to my wishes

Indicates the action goes against the speaker's desires or preferences.

outside my purview

Indicates the action falls outside the speaker's area of responsibility or authority.

unbeknownst to me

Highlights the lack of awareness or knowledge on the speaker's part.

beyond my control

Highlights the speaker's inability to influence or prevent the action.

FAQs

What does "without my approval" mean?

The phrase "without my approval" signifies that an action was taken or a decision was made without the speaker's consent, authorization, or permission. It implies that the speaker's agreement was necessary but not obtained before the action occurred.

What can I say instead of "without my approval"?

You can use alternatives like "without my consent", "without my authorization", or "lacking my endorsement" depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

How can I use "without my approval" in a sentence?

You can use "without my approval" to indicate that something was done without your permission or authorization. For example, "The changes were implemented "without my approval", and I was not consulted".

What's the difference between "without my approval" and "without my knowledge"?

"Without my approval" means the action needed my consent but didn't receive it, implying I have authority. "Without my knowledge" simply means I was unaware of the action, regardless of whether my approval was needed or sought.