not approved

USAGE SUMMARY

"not approved" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has not been officially or formally accepted or acknowledged. For example, "The project was not approved by the board of directors, so we'll have to look into other alternatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Songs are not approved either.

The Guardian

Nine drugs were not approved.

The New York Times - Health

Congress has not approved them.

The Economist

The resolution was not approved.

The New York Times

The measure was rejected, not approved.

The New York Times

I understand approved or not approved.

The New York Times - Sports

Most are not approved for gastric cancer.

The New York Times - Health

Most are not approved for such use.

The New York Times

Not approved for use on humans".

The Guardian - Travel

Ultimately the drug was not approved.

The New York Times - Science

The government has not approved it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for international audiences, be aware that the specific regulatory bodies and approval processes may differ from those in your home country, and tailor your language accordingly.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something "not approved" is necessarily ineffective or useless. It simply means that it hasn't met the specific criteria for approval by a relevant authority. Further testing or research might be needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not approved" functions as a post-positive adjective modifying a noun, indicating a lack of authorization or endorsement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples demonstrate its application in diverse contexts such as medicine, legislation, and product validation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not approved" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a lack of official authorization or endorsement. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, this phrase is widely employed across various sources, especially in news, media, and scientific contexts. Its function is primarily informative, conveying that something has failed to meet the necessary criteria for approval. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and directness in your communication. Consider using related terms like "disapproved" or "rejected" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disapproved

Direct synonym, implying a negative judgment or lack of endorsement.

rejected

Indicates a refusal to accept or allow something.

denied

Suggests that permission or access has been refused.

unauthorized

Implies a lack of official permission or sanction.

not sanctioned

Similar to "unauthorized", emphasizing the absence of official approval.

turned down

Informal way of saying something was refused or rejected.

vetoed

Suggests a rejection by someone with the power to prevent something.

unratified

Specifically means that something hasn't been formally approved or confirmed.

not endorsed

Indicates a lack of support or backing from an authority.

disallowed

Implies that something has been officially prohibited or not permitted.

FAQs

How to use "not approved" in a sentence?

You can use "not approved" to indicate that something has not received official authorization or endorsement. For instance, "The drug is "not approved" for use in children under 6".

What can I say instead of "not approved"?

You can use alternatives like "rejected", "denied", or "unauthorized" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not approved" or "unapproved"?

Both "not approved" and "unapproved" can be correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Not approved" is more explicit, while "unapproved" is a single-word adjective. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

What's the difference between "not approved" and "pending approval"?

"Not approved" indicates that something has been reviewed and rejected or simply lacks approval at the current time. "Pending approval", on the other hand, means that something is currently under review and a decision has yet to be made.