Approval vs. Approved

Attribute	Approval	Approved
Definition	The act of officially agreeing or accepting something	Having been officially agreed or accepted
Process	Can involve review, evaluation, and decision-making	Usually follows the approval process
Status	Can be pending, denied, or granted	Indicates that something has been accepted or agreed upon
Authority	Can be given by a person or a group	Usually given by someone in a position of authority

Definition

Approval and Approved are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Approval refers to the act of officially agreeing to or accepting something, while Approved means that something has been officially accepted or agreed upon. In essence, approval is the process of giving consent or permission, while approved indicates that consent or permission has been granted.

Usage

Approval is typically used as a noun, while Approved is often used as an adjective. For example, you might seek approval from your boss before implementing a new project, and once it is approved, you can proceed with the implementation. In this case, approval is the action of seeking permission, while approved describes the status of the project after permission has been granted.

Implications

Approval carries the connotation of authority or permission granted by someone in a position of power or authority. It implies that a decision has been made by a higher authority to allow something to proceed. On the other hand, Approved simply indicates that something has met the necessary criteria or standards to be accepted or agreed upon. It does not necessarily imply a hierarchical relationship between the approver and the approved.

Process

The process of approval typically involves submitting a request or proposal for consideration, followed by a review or evaluation by the approving authority. This authority then makes a decision to either approve or deny the request. Once approved, the requester is given the green light to proceed with the proposed action. The process of approval can vary depending on the context, such as in a business setting or a personal setting.

Criteria

Approval is often based on certain criteria or standards that need to be met before permission is granted. These criteria can vary depending on the nature of the request and the authority granting approval. For example, a project proposal may need to meet certain budgetary constraints or align with the company's strategic goals in order to be approved. Approved, on the other hand, simply means that the request has met the necessary criteria and has been given the go-ahead.

Legal Implications

Approval can have legal implications, especially in contractual agreements or official documents. When a contract or agreement is approved by all parties involved, it becomes legally binding and enforceable. Approval is often required in legal matters to ensure that all parties are in agreement and that the terms of the agreement are clear. Approved, on the other hand, may not carry the same legal weight and may simply indicate that something has been accepted or agreed upon without the same level of formality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Approval and Approved are related terms, they have distinct meanings and implications. Approval refers to the act of granting permission or consent, often by a higher authority, while Approved indicates that something has met the necessary criteria or standards to be accepted. Understanding the differences between these two terms can help clarify communication and ensure that processes are followed correctly.