he approved it

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "He approved it" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to someone approving an action. For example: "The mayor reviewed the proposal carefully and then he approved it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He didn't write the document, but he approved it.

The New Yorker

Then John McCain pops up to say he approved it.

The New York Times

Peavy refused a trade to the White Sox in May, but he approved it this time.

The New York Times

When dealers asked Mr. Farley to carve out part of the national ad budget for regional campaigns, he approved it.

The New York Times

Yet the record shows that Mr. Witt not only approved the plan, he approved it every year during his eight-year tenure as FEMA's director.

The New York Times

The proposed project by a Canadian pipeline company, TransCanada, similarly put the president in a political vise, squeezed between the demand for a secure source of oil and the thousands of jobs the project will bring, and the loud agitation of environmental advocates who threatened to withhold electoral support next year if he approved it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Selig will scrutinize this complex deal before he approves it.

The New York Times - Sports

The Republicans are insisting that he approve it now and have attached an amendment to a bill extending the payroll tax cut in hopes of forcing his hand.

The New York Times

And General Cone, a West Point graduate who took command here in late September, has maintained a policy started by his predecessor that requires commanders to let their units go home by 3 p.m. on Thursdays and prohibits weekend training, unless he approves it.

The New York Times

It's not like there's any lawsuit that might come of this if he approves it.

TechCrunch

When they approved it, he and his personal trainer flew to Germany.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he approved it", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoiding ambiguity strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he approved it" without clearly establishing what was being approved. Lack of context can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he approved it" functions as a simple declarative statement indicating that a male subject has given his approval or authorization to something. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in various contexts, emphasizing the action of approval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he approved it" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a male subject has given their approval or authorization for something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for use in written English. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, maintaining a neutral register, as highlighted by Ludwig's analysis. For alternative phrasing, consider "he gave his approval" or "he authorized it" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he gave his approval

Replaces the verb 'approved' with the noun 'approval', slightly more formal.

he sanctioned it

Uses 'sanctioned' suggesting official authorization, making it more formal.

he authorized it

Emphasizes the power or authority to permit something.

he endorsed it

Suggests public support or recommendation.

he gave the go-ahead

More informal, indicating permission to proceed.

he signed off on it

Implies formal agreement, often in a business context.

he consented to it

Highlights agreement or permission, often after some deliberation.

he acquiesced to it

Suggests agreement without active enthusiasm.

he ratified it

Implies formal validation or confirmation, especially of a treaty or agreement.

he validated it

Stresses the confirmation or establishment of the validity of something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he approved it"?

You can use alternatives like "he gave his approval", "he sanctioned it", or "he authorized it" depending on the context.

How to use "he approved it" in a sentence?

Use "he approved it" to indicate that someone has given their consent or authorization for something. For example, "The manager reviewed the plan and then he approved it".

What's the difference between "he approved it" and "he endorsed it"?

"He approved it" means he gave formal consent, while "he endorsed it" implies public support or recommendation.

Is "he approve it" grammatically correct?

No, "he approve it" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he approved it", using the past tense form of the verb 'approve'.