approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "approved" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has been accepted or regarded favorably. For example, "After review of the application, the committee approved it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A press release in support of AWH's bid was issued by Hartcher after being approved by Di Girolamo, earning the approval of federal Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, who sat on the water company's board at the time, and emailed the AWH head: "thanks mate.

The Guardian

The Kevin's Corner mine has been approved by Greg Hunt, the federal environment minister, however, the approval is subject to more than 70 conditions.

The Guardian

Keneally said Parry said his concerns were on the condition the minute was approved and the concerns raised with her were that the approval of the minute would be a corruption of government process.

The Guardian

"I can only assume it's a mistake," George said, when asked why flights to Queensland were approved as expenses to be charged to Sydney Water.

The Guardian

And though Congress approved the Green Jobs Act, no money for job training has been appropriated.

The Economist

All groundwork must now be funded and approved by the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism – including engagement with Muslim youth.

The Guardian

Ekins said if governments approved new fossil fuel production, they should be asked what resources elsewhere would not be exploited.

The Guardian

"There has been nothing proven against the APY board, there has been no natural justice, no procedural fairness, no compartmentalisation of any allegations," said Sansbury on behalf of the group and approved by APY.

The Guardian

A spokesperson for QUB's communications office said on Friday: "Following the completion of a comprehensive risk assessment, undertaken in line with approved protocols, the university is pleased to confirm that the Charlie Hebdo Research Symposium, organised by the Institute for Collaborative Research in the Humanities, has been approved".

The Guardian

Hungary has approved new and higher taxes on soap, alcohol, advertising and supermarkets, the latest in a series of unorthodox levies put forward by the prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

The Guardian

This study will have to be peer reviewed and approved by Hunt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approved", clearly specify by whom or what the approval was given to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The plan was approved by the board of directors."

Common error

Ensure the verb tense and subject agree. A common mistake is using a singular verb with a plural subject (e.g., "The documents was approved" should be "The documents were approved").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "approved" is as a past participle or past tense verb. It is used to indicate that something has been officially accepted or agreed upon. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approved" is a versatile term, commonly used to denote acceptance or agreement, often with an official connotation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, appearing frequently in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to formal business settings. When using "approved", it's important to ensure subject-verb agreement and specify the approving entity for clarity. Alternatives such as "authorized" or "endorsed" can be considered for nuanced expression, but "approved" remains a standard and reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorized

Indicates formal permission or sanction, similar to "approved" but often implying official capacity.

ratified

Signifies formal confirmation or validation, typically by a governing body or authority.

endorsed

Implies support or recommendation, often used when publicly backing a person, idea, or product.

sanctioned

Suggests official permission or approval, sometimes carrying connotations of regulation or control.

validated

Highlights the confirmation of something's accuracy or legitimacy, often through testing or verification.

accepted

Denotes agreement or willingness to receive something, implying a less formal endorsement than "approved".

cleared

Indicates that something has passed a necessary check or hurdle, often used in security or regulatory contexts.

passed

Signifies successful completion of a requirement or process, similar to "approved" but more focused on achievement.

given the green light

An idiomatic expression meaning permission has been granted to proceed with a project or plan.

given the go-ahead

Similar to "given the green light", this phrase suggests that authorization has been provided to begin something.

FAQs

What is the difference between "approved" and "authorized"?

"Approved" generally means accepted or agreed to, while "authorized" implies formal permission or sanction, often by someone in an official capacity.

How do I use "approved" in a sentence?

You can use "approved" to indicate that something has been officially accepted or agreed upon. For example, "The budget was approved by the committee."

What are some synonyms for "approved"?

Synonyms for "approved" include "endorsed", "ratified", "sanctioned", and "accepted", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the application is approved" or "the application was approved"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The application is approved" indicates a current state of approval, while "the application was approved" indicates that the approval occurred in the past.