have been approved

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been approved" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something has been approved by someone in authority, or by a group of people. For example: "The plans for the new playground have been approved by the town council."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, none have been approved.

The Washington Post

None of those bills have been approved.

The New York Times

The courses below have been approved.

Stanford University

Twelve of those applications have been approved.

The New York Times

"You have been approved," she announced.

The New York Times - Magazine

It should have been approved long ago".

The New York Times

Another 93 have been approved since January.

The Guardian

Thus, only FY13 rates have been approved by DHHS.

University of California, Berkeley

Many have been approved and are being built.

The New York Times

More expensive medicines have been approved only rarely.

The New York Times - Health

In total 3,572 jobs have been approved since 1996.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been approved", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the approving. This adds clarity and authority to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have been approved" without specifying the approving entity, as it can lead to vagueness. Always clarify who granted the approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been approved" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has received official permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been approved" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has received official authorization or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific papers, and academic discussions, demonstrating its versatility. When using this phrase, it is crucial to specify who or what granted the approval to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""have received approval"" or "have gained authorization" can provide stylistic variations while maintaining a similar meaning. Specifying the approving entity ensures clarity in usage. Overall, "have been approved" is a reliable and widely accepted way to communicate that something has met the necessary criteria and has been officially sanctioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have received approval

Replaces the passive voice "have been approved" with an active construction focusing on the act of receiving approval.

have gained authorization

Emphasizes the formal granting of permission using the term "authorization" instead of "approval".

have been authorized

Similar to "have been approved", but uses "authorized" to highlight the legitimacy and official permission.

have been sanctioned

Suggests a more formal or official endorsement, often implying a regulatory body's approval.

have passed inspection

Specifically refers to approval after an inspection or assessment, indicating meeting certain standards.

have been cleared

Implies that any obstacles or doubts have been removed, leading to approval.

have been given the green light

An idiomatic expression signifying permission or approval to proceed.

have been ratified

Suggests a formal endorsement or confirmation, typically by a governing body or authority.

have been endorsed

Implies public support or recommendation, in addition to formal approval.

are now permitted

Focuses on the resulting state of being allowed, rather than the act of approval itself.

FAQs

How do I use "have been approved" in a sentence?

Use "have been approved" to indicate that something has received official permission or authorization. For example, "The project proposals "have been approved" by the committee."

What's a more formal way to say "have been approved"?

A more formal alternative is "have gained authorization", emphasizing the official granting of permission.

What are some alternatives to "have been approved" in legal or regulatory contexts?

In legal or regulatory contexts, consider using "have been sanctioned" or "have been ratified" to imply formal endorsement or confirmation by a regulatory body.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "have been approved"?

While "have been approved" is in the passive voice, it's often acceptable when the actor is understood or unimportant. For emphasis on the approving entity, use the active voice: "The committee "have received approval"."