sanctioned the plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sanctioned the plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the approval or endorsement of a specific plan or proposal by an authority or governing body. Example: "The committee sanctioned the plan to improve the community park, allowing the project to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But in describing the plot to kill Mr. Gotti, Mr. D'Arco said he had not dealt with Mr. Gigante directly, but had been asked to join the conspiracy by the boss of still another family, who suggested to him that Mr. Gigante had sanctioned the plan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. D'Arco said that when a Mafia boss knew of a plot to kill another boss and did nothing to stop it, it meant he sanctioned the murder plan.

The New York Times

For example, the Chadian government has sanctioned the new family planning registers we designed at the national level.

Global health, science and practice

And so the NRSA will function to sanction the junta's plans as it did last week when it passed the controversial National Strategy Bill, which charts the nation's course for the next 20 years, regardless of who is in power.

Huffington Post

Iran will be freed from almost all economic and financial sanctions under the plan agreed with major world powers in Lausanne, but only after fulfilling a list of stringent conditions in a process that is expected to take at least six months, according to western diplomats.

The Guardian

Hsieh (pronounced "shay") has changed the business so radically that, in July, Amazon.com, after trying to compete with Zappos by starting a shoe site called Endless.com, as if to sanction the new insatiability, announced plans to buy the company for ten million shares of stock (worth $790 million at press time) plus $40 million in cash.

The New Yorker

However, a spokesman for the Football Association of Wales has told BBC Sport they are seeking clarification whether they, as the host association, have to sanction the 2012 Olympic fixtures planned for the Millennium Stadium.

BBC

In 2005, the California State Legislature sanctioned a plan for San Francisco Bay that was proposed by boating enthusiasts.

The New York Times - Sports

Shares in Korean Air fell 2% in Seoul after the government announced its plan to sanction the airline.

The Guardian

Israel's leading daily newspaper, Haaretz, reports that the proposal departs from a previously sanctioned government plan to set aside an egalitarian space at the Wall.

Huffington Post

Who wouldn't be excited about something like that?" McCoist has confirmed Bursaspor's interest in Steven Whittaker but insists he has no plans to sanction the sale of the utility man.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sanctioned the plan" when you want to emphasize that a plan has been officially approved by a governing body or authority. This phrase adds a layer of formality and legitimacy to the approval process.

Common error

Avoid using "sanctioned the plan" in informal contexts. This phrase carries a sense of official endorsement, making it unsuitable for casual conversations or less formal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "approved the plan" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sanctioned the plan" functions as a verb phrase where "sanctioned" indicates the action of approving or authorizing, and "the plan" is the direct object. This phrase is often used to indicate that an authority or governing body has given official permission for a plan to proceed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sanctioned the plan" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that a plan has received official approval or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its formality makes it most suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts, as indicated by its frequent usage in News & Media and Science sources. While alternatives like "approved the plan" or "endorsed the plan" may be more appropriate in informal settings, "sanctioned the plan" effectively conveys a sense of official endorsement and legitimacy. The phrase's relative infrequency suggests that it should be used deliberately to achieve the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approved the plan

Replaces "sanctioned" with a more common and straightforward term, focusing on formal agreement.

endorsed the plan

Suggests active support and recommendation, rather than just formal approval.

authorized the plan

Highlights the official permission granted for the plan.

ratified the plan

Implies formal confirmation, often through a voting process.

validated the plan

Focuses on confirming the plan's legitimacy or correctness.

gave the green light to the plan

An idiomatic alternative suggesting permission to proceed.

signed off on the plan

Similar to 'gave the green light', implying final approval.

gave approval for the plan

A more verbose alternative emphasizing the act of approval.

blessed the plan

A less formal term suggesting approval or endorsement.

supported the plan

Indicates agreement and willingness to help the plan succeed.

FAQs

What does "sanctioned the plan" mean?

When someone "sanctioned the plan", it means they officially approved or authorized it. This often implies that the plan received endorsement from a governing body or authority.

What can I say instead of "sanctioned the plan"?

You can use alternatives like "approved the plan", "endorsed the plan", or "authorized the plan" depending on the context.

Is "sanctioned the plan" formal or informal?

"Sanctioned the plan" is generally considered a formal phrase, suggesting official approval or authorization. It's best used in professional or academic writing.

How do you use "sanctioned the plan" in a sentence?

Example: The committee "sanctioned the plan" to improve the community park, allowing the project to move forward.