are approved by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are approved by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something has received official consent or validation from a person or organization. Example: "All new policies are approved by the board of directors before implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The experiments are approved by the ethical committee of Tokyo Institute of Technology (approval number 2013002).

ROBOMECH Journal

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

The New York Times

Some of these arrangements are approved by the state.

The New York Times - Travel

If the measures are approved by the Senate they will go on the March ballot.

The New York Times

According to Tariq, 98% of family plans are approved by the council after the conference.

The Guardian

Only registered members are approved by the Society of Garden Designers (www.sgd.org.uk).uk

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Annual season ticket loans have been around for decades and are approved by HMRC.

The Guardian - Money

If the plans are approved by bondholders, Forstmann effectively gains control of the companies.

The New York Times

Routine proposals are approved by agency staff members, but certain projects come before the full commission.

The New York Times

Half its members are approved by Parliament in a rotating format.

The New York Times

All decisions to seek the death penalty are approved by Mr. Ashcroft.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are approved by", ensure that you clearly identify the entity granting the approval to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The budget is approved by the finance committee."

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "The project is approved" without specifying who approved it. Always clarify the source of approval for clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are approved by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has received consent, permission, or official validation from a specified entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are approved by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate official consent or validation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: always specify the entity granting the approval to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives such as "are authorized by", "are ratified by", or "are sanctioned by" to fine-tune the meaning. Remember to match the verb conjugation to the subject (i.e., "is approved" for singular subjects). By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "are approved by" to convey official endorsement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are authorized by

Emphasizes the official permission or legal right granted by an authority.

are ratified by

Implies a formal confirmation or validation, often by a legislative body.

are sanctioned by

Suggests official approval and often implies a moral or ethical endorsement.

are endorsed by

Highlights public support or recommendation by a person or group.

are validated by

Focuses on the confirmation of accuracy or correctness through testing or evidence.

are certified by

Indicates that a recognized standard or requirement has been met, typically by a certifying body.

are accredited by

Implies that an institution or program has met specific quality standards set by an accrediting agency.

receive approval from

Shifts the focus to the act of receiving approval rather than the state of being approved.

have the green light from

An idiomatic expression indicating permission to proceed, often used in informal contexts.

are given the go-ahead by

Similar to "have the green light from", suggesting permission or authorization to start something.

FAQs

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

Use "are approved by" to indicate that something has received official consent or validation. For example, "The new regulations are approved by the city council."

What's the difference between "are authorized by" and "are approved by"?

"Are authorized by" emphasizes the legal right or power to do something, while "are approved by" suggests consent or agreement. Authorization is often a prerequisite for approval.

What can I say instead of "are approved by"?

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

Which is correct, "are approved by" or "is approved by"?

Use "are approved by" for plural subjects (e.g., "The plans are approved by the committee"), and "is approved by" for singular subjects (e.g., "The plan is approved by the committee").