Sanction was given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Sanction was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where permission or approval has been granted for an action or decision. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee decided that a sanction was given for the proposed project to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Britain, official royal sanction was given to anesthetics by Queen Victoria, who accepted chloroform from her physician, John Snow, when giving birth to her eighth child, Prince Leopold, in 1853.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Published in the republican newspaper An Phoblacht, the statement, in which the IRA says that no sanction was given for a gun smuggling operation, came the day after two men from Northern Ireland pleaded not guilty to illegally posting guns and bullets from Florida to the Republic of Ireland.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The proceedings become public immediately upon entering a district court, or once a public sanction is given.

Huffington Post

In 1192 his authority was given imperial sanction when he was granted the official rank of shogun (hereditary military dictator).

Britannica

Alarmed by the possibility of new Western penalties that could abruptly reduce or even halt its oil exports, Iran issued a warning on Monday that crude oil prices could more than double to $250 a barrel if such sanctions were given serious consideration.

The New York Times

Page A12 IRAN'S WARNING ON OIL PRICES Alarmed by the possibility of new Western penalties that could abruptly reduce or even halt its oil exports, Iran issued a warning that crude oil prices could more than double to at least $250 a barrel if such sanctions were given serious consideration.

The New York Times

Declaring Wilson's eventual six-month benefit sanction following his refusal to participate in what he called "forced labour" unlawful, Foskett said: "There could be no question of sanctions being validly imposed if no proper notice of the sanction consequences was given".

The Guardian

The sanction for construction was given in 1949 and the contract awarded to A.E. Farr & Co., who employed approximately 300 people on the site.

Wikipedia

There is nuance in the grading system however: UWE student union's vote approving the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel was given amber.

The Guardian

The prime minister opposed sanctions against South Africa, and was given an award by the South African government, while the queen clearly hoped that a multiracial South Africa would rejoin the Commonwealth.

The New York Times

Returning to Japan in 806, Kūkai was given imperial sanction to promulgate his new doctrines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "sanction was given" to emphasize the official or formal nature of an approval. For example, "Official sanction was given by the governing body."

Common error

Avoid using "sanction was given" in contexts where a simple "approval" or "permission" suffices. The phrase carries a weight of authority and formality, and its misuse can sound pompous or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sanction was given" functions as a passive construction indicating that approval or authorization has been granted. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is indeed correct and usable. Examples show it used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sanction was given" is a grammatically correct, though not exceedingly common, way to express that official approval or authorization has been granted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and encyclopedic sources, it carries a formal tone. Alternatives include "approval was granted" and "permission was given". When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants its formal connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approval was granted

Replaces "sanction" with the more common term "approval".

Permission was given

Substitutes "sanction" with "permission", indicating consent.

Authorization was granted

Uses "authorization" instead of "sanction", implying official permission.

The go-ahead was given

Employs a more informal idiom to express approval.

Endorsement was provided

Replaces "sanction" with "endorsement", suggesting support or recommendation.

The green light was given

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating permission to proceed.

A mandate was issued

Suggests a formal command or instruction was given.

Clearance was provided

Indicates that an obstacle or barrier to action has been removed.

Official backing was given

Highlights the formal and official nature of the approval.

Legitimacy was conferred

Emphasizes that something was made legitimate or valid.

FAQs

What does "sanction was given" mean?

It means that official approval or permission was granted for something. It implies a degree of formality and authority in the approval process.

What can I say instead of "sanction was given"?

You can use alternatives like "approval was granted", "permission was given", or "authorization was granted" depending on the context.

Is "sanction was given" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a formal phrase, suggesting official approval or authorization. Simpler alternatives might be more suitable in informal contexts.

How to use "sanction was given" in a sentence?

Example: "After a thorough review, official sanction was given for the project to proceed."