it was approved

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was approved" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a present perfect active indicative sentence with "was" being the helping verb. You can use this phrase when you are trying to express that someone or something was approved. For example: "The proposal was submitted to the board for review and it was approved".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was approved.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was approved, not rejected.

The New York Times

It was approved.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was approved before the bomb scare.

The New York Times

It was approved a few days later.

The New York Times

(It was approved in 1948).

The New York Times

It was approved, he said.

The New York Times

It was approved without a recorded vote.

The Washington Post

It was approved without dissent on Tuesday.

The New York Times

No, it was approved by the field ~5 years ago.

Cornell University

No, it was approved by the field ~4 years ago.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was approved", ensure the subject is clearly defined in the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It was approved", specify "The proposal was approved".

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice construction "it was approved" if an active voice can provide more clarity and directness. For instance, "The committee approved the budget" is often more concise and impactful than "The budget was approved by the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was approved" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (explicitly mentioned or implied) has received authorization or agreement from an authority. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI analysis indicating correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was approved" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating that something has received official sanction. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows it to fit in various contexts from news and scientific reports to academic papers. While its usage is widespread, clarity can be improved by specifying the subject and avoiding overuse of passive voice, opting for active voice where appropriate. Knowing alternative phrases, such as "it received approval" or "it got the green light", can also add variety to writing. Finally, considering the context to ensure tone is in accordance with formality, will help contribute in clarity and conciseness to the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it received approval

Replaces "was approved" with "received approval", maintaining the same meaning but using a different verb.

it was authorized

Replaces "approved" with "authorized", emphasizing the official nature of the permission.

it got the green light

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of approval, adding a touch of informality.

it was ratified

Suggests a formal and official approval, often used in legal or political contexts.

it was given the go-ahead

Uses another idiomatic expression, similar to "green light", to indicate permission to proceed.

it passed the review

Focuses on the process of approval, suggesting that it successfully met the required criteria.

it was sanctioned

Implies an authoritative endorsement or permission.

it met with agreement

Highlights the consensus aspect of approval, emphasizing that it was agreed upon.

it gained acceptance

Emphasizes the broad acceptance or agreement that led to the approval.

it was cleared

Conveys the idea that any obstacles or objections were removed, leading to approval.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was approved" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it received approval", "it was authorized", or "it was ratified", depending on the specific context.

What are some informal alternatives to "it was approved"?

Informal alternatives include phrases such as "it got the green light", or "it was given the go-ahead". These options are suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was approve"?

No, "it was approve" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it was approved", using the past participle form of the verb "approve".

What's the difference between "it was approved" and "it is approved"?

"It was approved" indicates that the approval happened in the past, whereas "it is approved" means that it currently has approval. For example, "The plan was approved last week" versus "The plan is approved for implementation".