he sanctioned it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he sanctioned it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone giving official approval or permission for an action or decision. Example: "The committee was divided, but ultimately, he sanctioned it, allowing the project to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"He knew who all the targets were going to be, he sanctioned it and he sure as hell never told them not to go".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They approved it, they sanctioned it".

Independent

"The government sanctioned it.

The New York Times

If LVMH is sanctioned, it can appeal.

The New York Times

The club have sanctioned it.

The Guardian - Sport

We have sanctioned it.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. D'Arco said that when a Mafia boss knew of a plot to kill another boss and did nothing to stop it, it meant he sanctioned the murder plan.

The New York Times

"When I told them about my jet-powered car, they were happy to sanction it, he said.

The New York Times

He recently threatened to sanction it, accusing it of "violating a judicial order, perverting the efficient administration of justice and ultimately imperiling its ability to hire new firefighters in a timely manner".

The New York Times

He sanctioned the agency by ordering it to reimburse the A.C.L.U.'s legal fees.

The New York Times

But then he thought about it some more and concluded it would be "silly" for David Moyes to sanction it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he sanctioned it" when you want to convey that someone in authority has given official approval or permission for something. It implies a degree of formality and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "he sanctioned it" in casual conversations. It's more appropriate for formal contexts, such as business, legal, or official settings. In everyday speech, simpler alternatives like "he approved it" or "he allowed it" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he sanctioned it" primarily functions as a statement indicating approval or authorization. It signifies that a male person (implied by "he") with the authority to do so has officially approved a particular action or plan. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, highlighting examples where it conveys permission or endorsement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he sanctioned it" is used to indicate that a male person has given official approval or permission for something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and found in contexts such as News & Media. While it is a valid way to express approval, it tends to be more formal than simpler alternatives like "he approved it". When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if "he sanctioned it" is the most appropriate choice. Be mindful of the level of formality required and choose the phrasing that best suits the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he authorized it

Substitutes "sanctioned" with "authorized", emphasizing the formal permission granted.

he permitted it

Replaces "sanctioned" with "permitted", emphasizing the allowance or authorization.

he gave it his approval

Replaces "sanctioned" with "gave his approval", focusing on the act of approving.

he endorsed it

Replaces "sanctioned" with "endorsed", suggesting support and approval.

he signed off on it

Substitutes "sanctioned" with "signed off on", emphasizing the formal agreement and approval.

he gave the green light to it

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey approval, highlighting the permission to proceed.

he ratified it

Replaces "sanctioned" with "ratified", suggesting a formal confirmation or validation.

he validated it

Substitutes "sanctioned" with "validated", highlighting the act of confirming its legitimacy.

he assented to it

Substitutes "sanctioned" with "assented to", suggesting agreement and approval.

he concurred with it

Replaces "sanctioned" with "concurred with", emphasizing agreement and alignment of opinion.

FAQs

What does "he sanctioned it" mean?

The phrase "he sanctioned it" means that a male person in a position of authority officially approved or permitted something to happen. It implies a level of endorsement or authorization.

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

You can use alternatives like "he approved it", "he authorized it", or "he endorsed it", depending on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "he sanctioned it" formal or informal?

"He sanctioned it" is generally considered a formal expression. Simpler terms like "he approved it" are more suitable for informal contexts.

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

You can use "he sanctioned it" in a sentence like, "The project was initially met with skepticism, but ultimately, "he sanctioned it", allowing the team to move forward."