Awaiting Approval vs. Awaiting for Approval – Which is Correct?
The correct phrase is “awaiting approval,” not “awaiting for approval.” The verb await takes its object directly and does not require the preposition for. Use “awaiting approval” in professional writing, or replace it with “waiting for approval” when you want to use for. This distinction prevents a common grammatical error.
Awaiting Approval or Awaiting for Approval – Which is Correct?
“Awaiting approval” is correct. “Awaiting for approval” is grammatically incorrect because await is a transitive verb: it takes a direct object without a preposition. In this phrase, approval is the object of awaiting.
Many writers add for because the similar phrase waiting for approval is correct. The two expressions have similar meanings, but their grammatical structures are different. Use either awaiting approval or waiting for approval, but do not combine them as awaiting for approval.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the swap test: if you use await, remove for; if you use wait, keep for. For example, write “The application is awaiting approval” but “The applicant is waiting for approval.”
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| awaiting approval | Verb phrase | Waiting for an approval decision | The proposal is awaiting approval. |
| awaiting for approval | Incorrect phrase | A preposition is incorrectly added after await | Do not write: The proposal is awaiting for approval. |
How to Use Awaiting Approval
Awaiting approval means that a person, application, request, document, or proposal is waiting for someone with authority to approve it. The phrase is grammatically correct and is especially common in formal, professional, administrative, legal, and technical writing.
It often appears after a form of the verb be, as in “is awaiting approval” or “was awaiting approval.” It can also describe the status of an item in an online system, workflow, or project-management platform. Because await has a formal tone, waiting for approval may sound more natural in casual conversation.
Example 1: The loan application is awaiting approval from the bank.
Example 2: Our revised budget is currently awaiting approval from the finance committee.
Example 3: Several purchase orders remain awaiting approval in the procurement system.
Etymology of the Phrase Awaiting Approval
Await comes from Middle English and was formed from the prefix a- and an older form related to wait. It means “to wait for” and has traditionally taken a direct object without for. Approval comes from the verb approve, which derives from Latin roots meaning “to regard as good” or “to affirm.”
Related Concepts
Understanding transitive verbs and prepositional phrases makes the difference between these two expressions easier to remember.
- Transitive verbs: A transitive verb acts directly on an object. In “awaiting approval,” approval directly follows the verb, so no preposition is needed.
- Prepositional phrases: The verb wait commonly connects to its object through for, as in “waiting for approval.” This pattern cannot be transferred to await.
- Formal and informal register: Awaiting approval is more formal and concise, while waiting for approval is neutral and widely used in everyday speech.
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct phrase appears frequently in professional reporting, official notices, business communication, and descriptions of characters or organizations waiting for a decision.
- News reporting: “The proposed development remains awaiting approval from the local council.”
- Business communication: “The contract is awaiting approval from the legal department.”
- Government notices: “The permit application is awaiting approval by the relevant authority.”
- Technology and software: “The update is awaiting approval before it can be released to users.”
- Workplace writing: “The employee’s leave request is awaiting approval from the manager.”
Awaiting Approval Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Waiting for approval | Waiting for an authorized person or group to approve something |
| Pending approval | Not yet approved and still under consideration |
| Subject to approval | Dependent on receiving approval before proceeding |
| Under review | Being examined before a decision is made |
| Awaiting authorization | Waiting for official permission to proceed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “awaiting approval” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Awaiting approval” is grammatically correct and means “waiting for approval.” The verb await takes the noun approval directly.
Question 2: Is “awaiting for approval” ever correct?
No. In standard English, await should not be followed by for before its object. Use “awaiting approval” or “waiting for approval” instead.
Question 3: Which is better: “awaiting approval” or “waiting for approval”?
Both “awaiting approval” and “waiting for approval” are correct. “Awaiting approval” is more formal and concise, while “waiting for approval” is more conversational and natural in everyday contexts.
Question 4: Can I say “the application is awaiting an approval”?
Usually, “the application is awaiting approval” is the more natural expression when referring to the general decision. “Awaiting an approval” may be possible when referring to a specific approval or authorization, but it is less common.
Question 5: What is the difference between “await” and “wait for”?
Both verbs mean to remain until something happens, but await is followed directly by its object: “We await your response.” The phrase wait for requires the preposition for: “We are waiting for your response.”
Conclusion
Awaiting approval is the correct phrase, while awaiting for approval is an incorrect combination of two grammatical patterns. Use awaiting approval in formal or professional writing, and use waiting for approval when you prefer a more conversational style. Pro tip: Choosing the correct construction helps your emails, reports, applications, and business documents appear polished and credible.
