Preambulatory and Operative Clauses
A list of common preambulatory and operative clauses used in resolution writing. For more information, please see Formatting a Resolution.
Preambulatory Clauses
The first section of the resolution consists of the Preambulatory Clauses. These clauses state the nature of the problem and establish the reasons and precedents for the actions outlined in the second half of the resolution.
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Acknowledging
Affirming Alarmed by Approving Aware of Believing Bearing in mind Cognizant of Confident of Contemplating Convinced Deeply concerned Deeply convinced Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Desiring Emphasizing |
Expecting
Expressing satisfaction Fulfilling Fully alarmed Fully aware Fully believing Further deploring Further recalling Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having further considered Having devoted attention Having examined Having heard Having received Having studied |
Hoping
Keeping in mind Noting with regret Nothing with satisfaction Noting with deep concern Noting further Noting with approval Observing Realizing Recalling Recognizing Referring Seeking Taking into account Taking note Viewing with appreciation Welcoming |
Operative Clauses
The second section of the resolution contains the Operative Clauses, the actions that will be taken by the body. These clauses are numbered and begin with present tense actions which are generally stronger than those used in the preamble. Each Operative Clause is followed by a semi-colon, except for the last one (which ends in a period).
| Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls Calls upon Condemns* Congratulates Confirms Considers Declares accordingly Demands* Deplores |
Draws attention Designates Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further reminds Further requests Has resolved Notes |
Notes with… Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets Requests Resolves Solemnly affirms Strongly condemns* Supports Trusts Urges Takes note of |
*Only for use in Security Council resolutions