it sanctions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sanctions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of giving official permission or approval for something, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The committee has decided that it sanctions the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

In recent days and weeks the US government has condemned human rights abuses and repression in almost every country across the Middle East – yet at a prison within its own borders it sanctions the persecution, alleged psychological torture and debasement of a young soldier who appears to have made a principled choice in the name of progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It sanctions violence towards trans women".

The Guardian

It sanctions it and allows it.

The Washington Post

What this does is it sanctions people being judgemental and cruel towards transgender folk.

Independent

"[The Saudis] don't like it, they are calling it sanctions," he said.

The Guardian

It sanctions war with other nations only as a defensive measure when the faith is in danger.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In 2002 it sanctioned 900.

The New York Times - Travel

Time and experience have given it sanction.

Cornell University

In so doing, it sanctioned ever-spiraling social expectations.

Britannica

Should it reach out to the discontented left, or should it sanction Socialist rebels?

The Economist

It sanctioned polygyny, and he was married to four wives at one time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sanctions" when you want to convey that something has official permission or approval, especially in legal, formal, or organizational contexts. For example: "The board decided that "it sanctions" the new marketing campaign."

Common error

Avoid using "it sanctions" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a degree of formality that might sound out of place. Consider using alternatives like "it allows" or "it approves" for a more natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

It sanctions functions as a verb phrase where 'it' is a pronoun referring to an entity (e.g., an organization, government, or law), and 'sanctions' is a verb meaning to authorize or approve. It indicates that the entity officially permits or endorses something, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sanctions" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate formal approval or authorization. As Ludwig AI points out, its frequency is high across diverse contexts, with strong representation in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. While "it sanctions" is generally appropriate for neutral and formal registers, careful attention should be paid to the tone and context to avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternatives like "it authorizes" or "it approves" may be more suitable in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it authorizes

Focuses on formal permission or legal empowerment.

it sanctions the use of

Explicitly allows to be used, or consume something.

it approves

Emphasizes agreement or endorsement.

it permits

Highlights allowance or non-prohibition.

it endorses

Suggests public support or recommendation.

it validates

Implies confirmation of correctness or legitimacy.

it licenses

Denotes granting of a formal right or permission to operate.

it gives the go-ahead

Uses an idiomatic expression for granting permission.

it gives its blessing

Implies a more ceremonial or moral approval.

it ratifies

Focuses on formal confirmation, especially of a treaty or agreement.

FAQs

What does "it sanctions" mean?

The phrase "it sanctions" means that something gives official permission or approval for something to happen. It's often used in legal or formal contexts.

How can I use "it sanctions" in a sentence?

You can use "it sanctions" in a sentence like this: "The committee has decided that "it sanctions" the proposed changes to the policy." In this context, "it sanctions" means the committee officially approves the changes.

What can I say instead of "it sanctions"?

You can use alternatives like "it authorizes", "it approves", or "it permits" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it sanctions" and "it allows"?

"It sanctions" implies a formal or official approval, while "it allows" simply means something is not prohibited. For example, a law might sanction a particular activity, while a parent might allow their child to stay up late.