without the approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without the approval" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an action or decision is made without receiving consent or authorization from someone. Example: "The project was initiated without the approval of the board, leading to several complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Opponents say he signed without the approval of the community.

The Guardian

We haven't done that without the approval of players.

The New York Times

A woman couldn't even open a bank account without the approval of her husband.

The Guardian - Books

Desert Fox had come without the approval of the Security Council.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Nothing can be done without the approval of the full board.

The New York Times - Arts

They cannot make decisions without the approval of the men in their families.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They can't do it without the approval of the state Department of Transportation," Mr. Askin said.

The New York Times

She adds that Lebedev could not operate as he does "without the approval of the authorities".

The Guardian

In other words, no agreement will be concluded without the approval of the Palestinian people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prime brokerage agreements could not be made without the approval of top executives at Allfirst.

The New York Times

She did so without the approval of German Mendoza, a security guard, the criminal complaint says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without the approval", ensure the context clearly identifies whose approval is needed. Lack of clarity can lead to ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that silence implies approval. Explicit consent is often necessary, especially in formal or legal settings. Always verify approval to prevent misunderstandings or legal issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without the approval" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the absence of authorization or consent for a particular action or decision. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without the approval" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something was done without proper authorization or consent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding whose approval is necessary, and avoid assuming that silence implies consent. Alternatives like "lacking authorization" or "without consent" may be used depending on the desired formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking authorization

Replaces "approval" with "authorization" and "without" with "lacking", maintaining the meaning of not having permission.

without consent

Focuses on the absence of agreement or permission, simplifying the original phrase.

absent endorsement

Uses a more formal term, "endorsement", to indicate the lack of support or approval.

unauthorized

A single-word adjective replacing the entire phrase, signifying that the action was not permitted.

in the absence of permission

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the lack of a formal permission.

without sanction

Replaces "approval" with "sanction", implying a lack of official authorization or ratification.

unratified

A concise term indicating that something has not been officially approved or confirmed.

not permitted

Directly states that the action was not allowed, replacing the more nuanced "approval" with a straightforward prohibition.

against the rules

Shifts the focus to the violation of established rules, suggesting a lack of approval by default.

on one's own authority

Indicates acting independently, suggesting that approval from a higher authority was not sought or obtained.

FAQs

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

You can use "without the approval" to indicate that an action or decision was made without the consent or authorization of a specific person or entity. For example, "The project was initiated "without the approval" of the board".

What are some alternatives to "without the approval"?

Alternatives include "lacking authorization", "without consent", or "unauthorized", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "without approval" or "without the approval"?

While both are grammatically correct, "without the approval" is generally preferred when referring to a specific instance of approval. "Without approval" is more general. For example, "He acted without the approval of his manager" is more common than "He acted without approval of his manager".

What does it mean when something is done "without the approval"?

It means that the action was taken or the decision was made without obtaining the necessary permission or consent from the relevant authority or individual. This can have negative consequences, depending on the context.