approved by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approved by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has received official consent or validation from a person or organization. Example: "The final design of the project was approved by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fully approved by government".

The Guardian - Opinion

His reprieve was approved by the world.

The Economist

Both uses are approved by the F.D.A.

The New York Times

Have S.T.D. approved by teacher".

The New York Times

This rule was approved by Pope Honorius III.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The basic outline is approved by everyone.

The Guardian

(Dempsey must be approved by the Senate).

The New Yorker

This was undoubtedly approved by the regime".

The Guardian

They won't be approved by me.

The Guardian - Sport

The treaty was approved by unanimous consent.

The New York Times

"This law was approved by the scholars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approved by", specify the entity that granted the approval to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "approved by" without specifying who granted the approval. Vague statements like "it was approved by someone" lack credibility. Instead, state specifically who approved it, such as "approved by the FDA" or "approved by the ethics committee."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approved by" primarily functions as a passive construction indicating that an action or decision has received official sanction or authorization from a specific entity. It's used to show that something has met the necessary criteria or standards to be considered valid or permissible. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approved by" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has received official authorization or endorsement. Ludwig AI highlights its versatility, showing usage across various contexts including science, news, and formal business. When using "approved by", it is crucial to specify who granted the approval to avoid ambiguity and strengthen credibility. Alternatives such as "authorized by" or "endorsed by" can be used to add nuance, though the core meaning remains consistent. Remember that clear attribution is key when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorized by

This alternative emphasizes the official permission or sanction given by an authority.

endorsed by

This suggests a more active and public show of support.

sanctioned by

Implies formal approval, often in the context of rules or regulations.

ratified by

Suggests formal confirmation or validation of an agreement or decision.

validated by

Indicates that something has been checked and confirmed to be accurate or acceptable.

cleared by

This means that something has passed a review process and is allowed to proceed.

certified by

Implies that something meets specific standards and has been officially recognized.

accredited by

This indicates that an organization or institution has met certain quality standards.

passed by

This means that a proposal or bill has been accepted by a legislative body.

agreed to by

Suggests that multiple parties have come to a consensus and accepted something.

FAQs

What does "approved by" mean?

The phrase "approved by" indicates that something has received official consent, endorsement, or validation from a person or organization.

What are some alternatives to "approved by"?

You can use alternatives like "authorized by", "endorsed by", or "sanctioned by" depending on the context.

How to use "approved by" in a sentence?

You can say, "The study was "approved by" the ethics committee" or "The deal was "approved by" the board of directors."

Is it always necessary to specify who approved something?

Yes, specifying who approved something adds credibility and provides necessary context. Without this information, the statement lacks authority. For example, instead of saying, "The changes were approved", specify "The changes were "approved by" the HRECs."