sanction was given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sanction was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where permission or approval has been granted for an action or decision. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee announced that the sanction was given for the new project to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Britain, official royal sanction was given to anesthetics by Queen Victoria, who accepted chloroform from her physician, John Snow, when giving birth to her eighth child, Prince Leopold, in 1853.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The proceedings become public immediately upon entering a district court, or once a public sanction is given.

Huffington Post

Alarmed by the possibility of new Western penalties that could abruptly reduce or even halt its oil exports, Iran issued a warning on Monday that crude oil prices could more than double to $250 a barrel if such sanctions were given serious consideration.

The New York Times

Page A12 IRAN'S WARNING ON OIL PRICES Alarmed by the possibility of new Western penalties that could abruptly reduce or even halt its oil exports, Iran issued a warning that crude oil prices could more than double to at least $250 a barrel if such sanctions were given serious consideration.

The New York Times

Declaring Wilson's eventual six-month benefit sanction following his refusal to participate in what he called "forced labour" unlawful, Foskett said: "There could be no question of sanctions being validly imposed if no proper notice of the sanction consequences was given".

The Guardian

The sanction for construction was given in 1949 and the contract awarded to A.E. Farr & Co., who employed approximately 300 people on the site.

Wikipedia

There is nuance in the grading system however: UWE student union's vote approving the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel was given amber.

The Guardian

The prime minister opposed sanctions against South Africa, and was given an award by the South African government, while the queen clearly hoped that a multiracial South Africa would rejoin the Commonwealth.

The New York Times

Returning to Japan in 806, Kūkai was given imperial sanction to promulgate his new doctrines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All tourist economies rest on an imbalance of power, but in that hotel it was given religious sanction and shape.

The Guardian

Consequently, the theater switched the order of the two plays and the audience was given official sanction to leave at intermission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sanction was given", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what provided the sanction and for what purpose. This adds clarity and authority to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "sanction was given" when you intend to convey punishment or penalty, as "sanction" in this context implies approval or permission. For penalties, use "sanctions were imposed" or "punishment was administered" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sanction was given" functions as a passive construction indicating that approval or authorization has been granted by a governing body or authority. This is supported by Ludwig which indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sanction was given" denotes official approval or permission, typically from an authoritative body. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's primarily found in news, encyclopedic, and wiki contexts. Although not exceptionally common, its usage is consistent across reliable sources. Alternative phrases include "approval was granted" and "permission was authorized". When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the source and purpose of the sanction to maintain precision and authority in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approval was granted

Changes the verb to "granted" and uses "approval" instead of "sanction", emphasizing agreement.

permission was authorized

Substitutes "sanction" with "permission" and "given" with "authorized", denoting formal allowance.

authorization was issued

Replaces "sanction" with "authorization" and "given" with "issued", highlighting the act of formally providing permission.

endorsement was provided

Uses "endorsement" to indicate support and "provided" as the action, focusing on backing or support.

clearance was obtained

Emphasizes that "clearance" was secured, implying a hurdle was overcome to gain approval.

license was conferred

Indicates that a "license" was formally given, suggesting a right or privilege was granted.

green light was given

An idiomatic expression meaning permission to proceed was granted.

imprimatur was granted

A formal term suggesting official approval, often in a religious or publishing context.

validation was confirmed

Focuses on the "validation" process, asserting that it was verified or made certain.

ratification was secured

Highlights the process of formally approving or confirming something, typically an agreement or treaty.

FAQs

What does "sanction was given" mean?

The phrase "sanction was given" indicates that official approval or permission was granted for a particular action or decision. It implies that the action has been authorized by a relevant authority.

What can I say instead of "sanction was given"?

You can use alternatives like "approval was granted", "permission was authorized", or "authorization was issued" depending on the specific context.

Is "sanction was given" formal or informal?

The phrase "sanction was given" tends to be more formal, often used in legal, governmental, or official contexts. Less formal alternatives might include "the go-ahead was given" or "permission was granted".

How does "sanction was given" differ from "sanctions were imposed"?

"Sanction was given" indicates approval, while "sanctions were imposed" refers to penalties or restrictions being applied. They have opposite meanings: one signifies permission, the other punishment.