Who can approve this? French phrases for decision authority

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 23 September 2026 · About the library

Separate support, a recommendation and final approval in a French meeting. A C1 phrase sheet with a short exchange and a quiz on who can do what.

In short

Ask À qui revient-il de valider cette décision ? Use recommander for a recommendation and valider or approuver for approval. Then name what can happen now: Nous pouvons demander un devis ; la commande attendra la validation du comité.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Two colleagues discussing a proposal awaiting committee approval. — The order waits for la validation du comité. Illustration: Atelier

Qui propose, qui valide, qui agit ?

1 · Identify the decision-maker

Relever de assigns responsibility. Être habilité à asks who has the authority to act.

La validation de cette dépense relève du comité de pilotage.Approval of this expenditure falls to the steering committee.

Qui est habilité à donner l’accord final ?Who is authorised to give final approval?

2 · Give support its exact status

Être favorable à expresses support. Émettre un avis favorable expresses a favourable opinion. Name the approval separately.

Je suis favorable à cette option.	I support this option.
Le groupe recommande cette option.	The group recommends this option.
Le comité a approuvé cette option.	The committee has approved this option.

3 · Define the preparation that may proceed

Name the action and its boundary. À ce stade locates the permission in the current stage.

À ce stade, nous pouvons demander un devis détaillé, mais la commande reste soumise à validation.At this stage, we can request a detailed quotation, but the order remains subject to approval.

4 · Keep the condition attached

Sous réserve de + noun keeps the pending condition inside the recommendation.

Nous recommandons l’offre A, sous réserve de l’examen du devis par le comité.We recommend offer A, subject to the committee’s examination of the quotation.

5 · Give the minutes an actor and an action

Write who recommends, who prepares the information and who decides. These verbs carry more detail than a bare accord.

Le groupe recommande l’offre A. Nora demandera un devis. Le comité se prononcera jeudi.The group recommends offer A. Nora will request a quotation. The committee will give its decision on Thursday.

La réunion se termine : que peut-on lancer ?

Nora
Vous soutenez l’offre A. Pouvons-nous lancer la commande ?
You support offer A. Can we place the order?
Lina, facilitator
Je suis favorable à cette offre, mais la validation de la dépense relève du comité.
I support this offer, but approval of the expenditure falls to the committee.
Nora
Pouvons-nous demander un devis détaillé en attendant ?
Can we request a detailed quotation in the meantime?
Lina, facilitator
Oui. Nous transmettrons le devis au comité, qui se prononcera jeudi.
Yes. We’ll send the quotation to the committee, which will give its decision on Thursday.
Nora
Je note donc : devis à recueillir, commande en attente de validation.
So I’ll note: quotation to obtain, order awaiting approval.

Se prononcer means give a position or decision; the surrounding words tell you which. Here, the committee has the approval role. To ask what its decision will cover, use La validation portera-t-elle sur le budget, le fournisseur ou les deux ?