it is sanctioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is sanctioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been officially approved or authorized. Example: "The new policy is effective immediately as it is sanctioned by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Homophobia is worse, he says, because it is sanctioned by government and religion.

The New York Times

It denies how widespread the issue is and how it is sanctioned and facilitated socially and institutionally.

Independent

The Democratic platform, for example, does not even mention gay marriage in a city where it is sanctioned.

The New York Times

But what is so uniquely dangerous about it – undoubtedly much to the delight of Isis – is that it is sanctioned and promoted by the media.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Afghanistan, Canadian troops fought along with American forces for the first time since the Korean War, and Canada has indicated that it would contribute troops to an invasion of Iraq if it is sanctioned by the United Nations.

The New York Times

This is despite the belief by half (53%) of the respondents that users will continue to use their own devices on the network, whether it is sanctioned by IT or not.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It is time Monitor, the regulator, was held to account and made to raise the bar regarding the standards it is sanctioning when awarding foundation status.

The Guardian

To be fair to Snapchat, this isn't something the company did on its own — it was sanctioned by the Marley estate.

TechCrunch

And many believed it was sanctioned from above.

The New York Times

"It was sanctioned by the government," Admiral Mullen told journalists during a Pentagon briefing.

The New York Times

Another that would permit such action if it were sanctioned by the United Nations was approved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of "it" is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what is being sanctioned before using the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "it is sanctioned" when you simply mean something is tolerated or common, but lacks formal approval. "Sanctioned" implies an official endorsement, not just acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is sanctioned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has received official authorization or approval. As seen in Ludwig, this construction is often used in formal contexts to denote legitimacy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is sanctioned" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies official approval or authorization. As per Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts, and its usage leans towards formal and professional registers. While alternatives such as "it is authorized" and "it is approved" exist, it's crucial to use "it is sanctioned" only when there's genuine official endorsement, not mere tolerance. Overall, using this phrase correctly strengthens the legitimacy and acceptability of the subject being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is authorized

Replaces "sanctioned" with a more direct term for official permission.

it is approved

Offers a more general term for acceptance or agreement.

it is permitted

Indicates that something is allowed but doesn't necessarily imply official endorsement.

it is endorsed

Suggests active support or recommendation, rather than just permission.

it is ratified

Implies formal confirmation or validation, often in a legal or political context.

it is validated

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy or correctness of something.

it is legitimized

Highlights the act of making something lawful or acceptable.

it is given the go-ahead

An informal way of saying permission has been granted to start something.

it is given the green light

Another informal way of expressing approval to proceed.

it is blessed

Implies a religious or spiritual approval, rather than an official one.

FAQs

How can I use "it is sanctioned" in a sentence?

Use "it is sanctioned" to indicate that something has been officially approved or authorized. For example, "The new policy is effective immediately as "it is sanctioned" by the board of directors."

What are some alternatives to "it is sanctioned"?

You can use alternatives like "it is authorized", "it is approved", or "it is permitted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is sanction"?

No, the correct phrasing is "it is sanctioned". "Sanction" is a noun or a verb, but in this context, you need the past participle form, "sanctioned", to indicate that something has received official approval or permission.

What's the difference between "it is sanctioned" and "it is tolerated"?

"It is sanctioned" means something is officially approved or permitted. "It is tolerated", on the other hand, suggests something is allowed without explicit approval, often because it's difficult or undesirable to prevent.