Guide 127 / 200 5 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “approve”
Five verbs for official green-lighting.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Approve" is the workhorse. "Authorise" grants the right to act; "sanction" is formal — and slippery, since it also means "punish"; "endorse" is public backing; "ratify" is formal confirmation; "sign off" is everyday and clear.
ii · The swaps5 ways
- 01Authorise formal
grant the right to act
Authorise the transfer to the new account.
- 02Sanction formal
formally approve
The committee sanctioned the expenditure.
Watch out "Sanction" can also mean "punish" — read context to avoid confusion. - 03Endorse formal
publicly back
Endorse the revised policy.
- 04Ratify formal
confirm formally
Ratify the agreement at the meeting.
- 05Sign off neutral
everyday green-light
Finance has signed off on the plan.