are approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are approved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has received official consent or validation, often in formal contexts such as business or legal documents. Example: "The new policies are approved by the board of directors and will take effect next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Medical supplies are approved separately.

The Guardian

Al-Qaeda militants also are approved targets.

Independent

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

The New York Times

These are approved by Congress.

The New York Times

Roughly 85percentt are approved.

The New York Times

But some.com requests are approved, she said.

The New York Times

Not all drugs are approved for splitting.

The New York Times

Ekblad says the "overwhelming majority" are approved.

The New York Times

The obtained theoretical results are approved by numerical simulations.

Automatica

All obtained numerical simulations are approved by experimental tests.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

However, no targeted therapies in MM are approved yet.

Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are approved", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is granting the approval. For clarity, specify the approving entity (e.g., "The plans are approved by the committee").

Common error

Avoid using "are approved" without a clear subject. A sentence like "The changes are approved" leaves the reader wondering which changes are referenced. Be specific by stating "The proposed changes to the budget are approved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are approved" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has received official permission or endorsement. Ludwig shows examples like "Medical supplies are approved separately" or "These are approved by Congress", illustrating its use in conveying authorization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are approved" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has received official authorization or endorsement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When writing, ensure that the context clarifies who or what is granting the approval to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "have been authorized" or "have been sanctioned" exist, "are approved" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to express official sanctioning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been authorized

Focuses on the granting of official permission or power, implying a formal process of authorization.

have been sanctioned

Implies a formal endorsement or ratification, often by an authority or governing body.

are ratified

Highlights the formal confirmation or validation of something, such as a treaty or agreement.

are validated

Emphasizes the confirmation of accuracy or truth, often through testing or verification.

are endorsed

Suggests public support or recommendation, indicating approval and encouragement.

are given the green light

An idiomatic expression indicating permission or approval to proceed with a project or plan.

are deemed acceptable

Highlights the judgment that something meets the required standards or criteria.

are given assent

Emphasizes formal agreement or consent, indicating approval of a proposal or decision.

are found satisfactory

Focuses on the evaluation and determination that something meets expectations or requirements.

are rubber-stamped

Implies automatic or perfunctory approval, often without careful consideration.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are approved" indicates that something has been officially sanctioned or permitted. For instance, "The new regulations "have been authorized" and will take effect immediately" or "The research proposal "has been sanctioned" by the ethics committee".

What are some alternatives to "are approved"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been authorized", "have been sanctioned", or "have been ratified". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey regarding the approval process.

Is it correct to say "is approved" instead of "are approved"?

No, "is approved" is used with singular subjects, while "are approved" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The plan is approved", but "The plans are approved".

What does it mean when something "are approved" by the FDA?

When drugs or medical devices "are approved" by the FDA, it means they have met the agency's standards for safety and effectiveness and can be legally marketed in the United States. It ensures that these products "have been validated" for their intended use.