Approval vs. Approved: Understanding the Key Difference

When you stumble across the terms approval and approved, it’s easy to assume they’re interchangeable. In reality, the two words occupy distinct grammatical slots and convey subtly different meanings. This article unpacks the nuance behind “approval vs. approved,” helping you choose the right form in both writing and conversation.

What Is Approval?

Approval is a noun that refers to the act of accepting or endorsing something. It can describe a formal decision—like a manager’s approval of a budget—or a more informal nod of consent, such as a friend’s approval of your outfit. Because it’s a noun, it can be modified by adjectives (e.g., “final approval”) and can serve as the object of a preposition (“with approval”).

In legal or corporate contexts, approval often carries weight: a project may not proceed until it receives “official approval” from the relevant authority. In everyday speech, the word can be lighter: “She gave her approval of the plan,” meaning she simply liked it.

What Does Approved Mean?

Approved is the past‑participle form of the verb “approve,” functioning primarily as an adjective. When something is described as approved, it signals that the act of approval has already taken place. Think of a stamp that reads “Approved” on a document—that’s a clear visual cue that the item has passed a review process.

Beyond paperwork, “approved” appears in product labeling (“FDA‑approved medication”), certifications (“ISO‑approved supplier”), or personal judgments (“He’s an approved candidate”). The adjective can be paired with nouns (“approved design”) or used predicatively (“The request was approved”).

Grammar and Usage Differences

• Part of Speech: Approval = noun; approved = adjective (or verb form).
• Sentence Position: Approval often appears as the subject or object (“Approval is required”). Approved typically follows a linking verb (“The plan is approved”) or modifies a noun directly (“approved plan”).
• Verb Compatibility: You can grant approval but you cannot grant approved. Conversely, you can receive approval or be approved for a loan.

Mixing them up can lead to awkward phrasing. For example, “We need the approved of the committee” should be “We need the approval of the committee.” The mistake stems from treating “approved” as a noun, which it isn’t.

When to Use Each Form

Use approval when you need a noun that represents the concept of consent or endorsement. Common scenarios include:

• Formal requests: “The project cannot start without the board’s approval.”
• Feedback loops: “Your approval is essential before we publish the article.”
• Legal language: “The contract requires written approval from both parties.”

Choose approved when you’re describing something that has already been sanctioned:

• Product status: “This software is approved for use in schools.”
• Personal eligibility: “She is an approved member of the club.”
• Procedural outcomes: “Your application was approved on Tuesday.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One frequent slip is using “approval” where “approved” is needed, especially after a linking verb. Saying “The plan is approval” sounds like a mis‑typed noun. The correct form is “The plan is approved.”

Another pitfall involves redundancy: “We received an approved approval.” The phrase repeats the same idea and adds no value. Trim it down to either “We received approval” or “It was approved.”

Lastly, watch out for regional variations. In some informal contexts, speakers might say “I got the okay” instead of “approval,” but that substitution doesn’t work in formal writing.

Quick Reference Guide

• Approval = noun, the act or state of giving consent.
• Approved = adjective/past‑participle, describing something that has been consented to.
• Ask yourself: “Is this a thing (noun) or a description (adjective)?” If it’s the former, go with approval; if the latter, use approved.

FAQ

Is “approval” ever used as a verb?

No. The verb form is “approve.” “Approval” functions only as a noun.

Can “approved” be used as a noun?

Not in standard English. When you need a noun, switch to “approval” or “approval status.”

Which term sounds more formal?

Both are formal when used correctly, but “approval” often appears in legal or corporate documents, while “approved” is common in certifications and product labeling.

Do these words have different plurals?

Only “approval” has a plural—“approvals.” “Approved” is an adjective and does not pluralize.