I approved that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I approved that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you have given your consent or agreement to something that was proposed or presented. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I approved that and sent it to the team for implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bishop said: "My words 'let him serve' indicated I approved that he could write checks for that brief period, not that he could serve in any pastoral way.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I approve that message.

Huffington Post

"I'm approved?" "That's it," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

So I think, when Epidiolex is approved, that would automatically down-schedule the plant.

Vice

"She never approved that image.

The New Yorker

Who approved that line?

Huffington Post

A court of appeals approved that sentence earlier this month.

Vice

The ethics committee specifically approved that procedure.

Plosone

As someone who is a huge fan of keeping things simple, I wholly approve that message.

TechCrunch

"While I could not bear the idea of a church that denounced art and beauty," she concludes, "did that really mean I approved of one that sold salvation and let its bishops and popes siphon off church wealth into the pockets of their illegitimate children?

The New York Times - Books

The prime minister commented: "That's buying British, I approve of that".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I approved that" to clearly state your agreement or permission, especially when it follows a specific proposal or request. This avoids ambiguity about your stance.

Common error

Avoid using "I approved that" when you only partially agree with something. If you have reservations, clarify the extent of your approval to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I approved that" functions as a statement of confirmation or agreement. It indicates that the speaker has given their endorsement or permission to something previously mentioned or proposed. As Ludwig suggests, it's a direct way of conveying consent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I approved that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express agreement or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As shown by the examples from Ludwig, it appears across different contexts, especially in news and media, with slight variations in meaning depending on the context. While there are several alternatives, it offers a clear and direct way to convey your endorsement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I authorized that

Replaces "approved" with "authorized", indicating formal permission.

I gave my consent to that

Emphasizes the act of giving permission or agreement.

I sanctioned that

Indicates formal or official approval.

I endorsed that

Implies support and approval.

I validated that

Suggests that something was confirmed as correct or legitimate.

I signed off on that

Informal way of saying that you gave final approval.

I gave the green light to that

Idiomatic expression meaning to give permission to proceed.

I rubber-stamped that

Suggests approval was given without much thought or scrutiny.

That received my approval

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice.

I was in agreement with that

Focuses on the state of being in agreement, rather than the act of approving.

FAQs

How can I use "I approved that" in a sentence?

You can use "I approved that" to express your agreement or permission regarding a previously mentioned item or action. For example, "The committee proposed the new budget, and "I approved that" after reviewing the details."

What are some alternatives to "I approved that"?

Alternatives include "I authorized that", "I sanctioned that", or "I endorsed that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I approved of that" grammatically correct?

While "I approved of that" is grammatically correct, ""I approved that"" is more direct and commonly used when referring to a specific item or action. The use of "of" might be preferred if you want to express general approval.

What is the difference between "I approved that" and "I approve that"?

""I approved that"" refers to a past action where you gave your approval. "I approve that" is less common and sounds less natural. It would be more common to say "I approve of that", but still refers to the present moment of giving consent or agreement.