given the go-ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given the go-ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that permission or approval has been granted to proceed with a plan or action. Example: "After weeks of planning, we were finally given the go-ahead to start the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He's given the go-ahead.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now the country's courts have given the go-ahead.

The Economist

Given the go-ahead, I sallied forth at dusk.

The New York Times - Sports

Tomorrow's race meeting at Wincanton, though, was given the go-ahead.

Independent

A few big projects are under way and others were given the go-ahead.

The Economist

Finally Wyer was given the go-ahead, and suddenly we were very busy again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Racing at Wolverhampton was given the go ahead after an 11am inspection.

The Guardian - Sport

"If this had been given the go ahead it would have made the situation worse.

The Guardian

See articleA proposal to build the first offshore wind farm in the United States was given the go ahead.

The Economist

By the early 1960s, Concorde was given the go ahead.

BBC

A £32m redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) has been given the go ahead.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "given the go-ahead" when you want to indicate that someone has received permission or approval to start or continue with a plan, project, or activity. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "giving the go-ahead" when you mean someone received it. "Giving the go-ahead" implies actively granting permission, while "given the go-ahead" means permission was received.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given the go-ahead" functions as a passive construction indicating that permission or approval has been granted. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in conveying that an action or project is now cleared to proceed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given the go-ahead" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase used to indicate that permission or approval has been granted for a particular action or project. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources like BBC, The Guardian and The New York Times. While versatile, writers should be mindful of maintaining the passive voice construction by not confusing it with "giving the go-ahead". Semantically, it is most closely mirrored by phrases such as ""got the green light"" or ""received approval"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

given the green light

Is almost identical in meaning, but uses another common idiom in substitution.

got the green light

Replaces "go-ahead" with another common idiom indicating permission to proceed.

given the thumbs up

Substitutes with a more informal idiom indicating approval.

permission granted

A more direct and less idiomatic way of saying that permission has been given.

received approval

This alternative directly substitutes the idiomatic expression with a more formal term for gaining permission.

obtained authorization

Uses a more formal and official term for receiving permission.

authorized to proceed

A more verbose but clear way of expressing that permission to continue has been granted.

sanctioned

A concise and formal way to indicate approval or permission, often used in official contexts.

given leave

A more formal alternative, implying official permission or consent.

cleared for action

Implies that all obstacles have been removed, and proceeding is now permitted.

FAQs

How can I use "given the go-ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "given the go-ahead" to indicate that permission or approval has been granted. For example, "The construction project was "given the go-ahead" after the environmental impact assessment was completed."

What are some alternatives to "given the go-ahead"?

Some alternatives include "received approval", "obtained authorization", or "got the green light", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "giving the go-ahead" and "given the go-ahead"?

"Giving the go-ahead" implies actively granting permission, while "given the go-ahead" means permission was received. For example, "The manager is giving the go-ahead" versus "The team was "given the go-ahead"".

Is "given the go-ahead" formal or informal?

"Given the go-ahead" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal situations, you might consider alternatives like "permission granted" or "authorized to proceed".