written approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "written approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to approval of something that was recorded in writing, or an agreement that was expressed through the written word. For example, "I need to have my manager's written approval before I can sign the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Data usage is conformant with Swiss laws and ethical standards as approved by the Ethics Committee of the Canton of Zurich (written approval, KEK ZH-Nr. 2015-0686).

European Radiology Experimental

"Vanguard does not have the legal authority to distribute any plan assets without their written approval.

The New York Times

You may not use any Guardian Content for any other purpose without our prior written approval.

The Guardian

"No written approval was obtained, nor was any sought, Michael Birnbaum, a spokesman for EM.TV, confirmed.

The New York Times

One guideline said that any form of entertainment in a Vaad-supervised restaurant must receive written approval from the rabbis.

The New York Times

He said Sly Stone and his bandmates had given written approval for the trademark, and added: "Mr. Stewart would like to rewrite history.

The New York Times - Arts

She's able to write," Dr. Rosser said, adding that Ms. Yousafzai had been able to give doctors written approval to make details of her condition public.

The New York Times

Any reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from Apple.

TechCrunch

Students who agreed to participate in the study were notified of the study and then their written approval was obtained.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

State agencies will have to receive written approval from the Finance Committee once the rider is enacted.

TechCrunch

In fact, researchers must receive prior, written approval from at least two program managers before even submitting a proposal.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting "written approval", ensure the request clearly outlines what is being approved and any relevant conditions.

Common error

Don't assume verbal agreements or past practices constitute "written approval". Always obtain documented confirmation, especially in legal or formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "written approval" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It signifies formal, documented consent or permission. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, indicating it's a standard and accepted construct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "written approval" is a common and grammatically correct phrase that signifies formal, documented consent or permission. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across science, news media, and formal business contexts, highlighting its importance in ensuring clarity and accountability. When using this phrase, specify who provides the approval and what is being approved. Alternatives include "documented consent" and "formal authorization", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that while verbal agreements might seem sufficient, especially in informal contexts, obtaining "written approval" provides a more secure and verifiable record. It's professional to formal register solidifies its presence in professional and academic writing, with authoritative sources frequently employing the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

documented consent

Emphasizes the consent being formally recorded.

formal authorization

Highlights the official permission granted.

official endorsement

Suggests a more public and formal declaration of support.

explicit permission

Focuses on the clarity and directness of the permission.

signed agreement

Highlights the contractual nature of the approval.

paperwork clearance

Implies that the required documents have been successfully processed.

formal sign-off

Indicates a final approval, often in a bureaucratic context.

letter of consent

Specifies the format of the approval as a formal letter.

official sanction

Suggests a formal and often legal endorsement.

ratified permission

Emphasizes that the permission has been formally confirmed or approved.

FAQs

How to use "written approval" in a sentence?

You can use "written approval" to indicate that a formal agreement was given in writing. For example, "The project requires "written approval" from the manager before proceeding."

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

"Written approval" is a formal documented consent, offering a record of the agreement, whereas verbal approval is an oral agreement which lacks a tangible record and can be difficult to prove or reference later.

What can I say instead of "written approval"?

Alternatives to "written approval" include "documented consent", "formal authorization", or "explicit permission", depending on the context.

Is "written approval" the same as "written consent"?

While similar, "written approval" generally refers to the endorsement of a plan or action, whereas "written consent" often implies agreement to a specific condition or procedure, especially in medical or legal contexts.