that was approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was approved" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has received official consent or validation in the past. Example: "The proposal that was approved will be implemented next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The royal charter that was approved on 18 March was not thrown together late at night.

The Guardian

The state banned the practice in a 2004 constitutional amendment that was approved by voters.

The Guardian

The United States abstained in the only council resolution that was approved.

The New York Times

He developed a multiyear plan that was approved by a state-imposed fiscal oversight board.

The New York Times

Interventional makes a balloon angioplasty device that was approved by federal regulators last year.

The New York Times

"This for a drug that was approved for children!" "Safety," Kathy repeated.

The New York Times - Health

Roughly a third of the mileage that was approved during this period never materialised.

The Economist

India prepared a constitution for Sikkim that was approved by its national assembly in 1974.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he said the plan that was approved on Wednesday was not truly balanced.

The New York Times

Sparlon is a higher-dose version of Provigil, an alertness drug from Cephalon that was approved in 1998.

The New York Times

The increase is part of a $28 billion budget that was approved by the Legislature last week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was approved", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what entity granted the approval to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that is approved" when referring to something approved in the past. "That was approved" indicates a completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was approved" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive relative clause, which modifies a noun by providing essential information that defines or limits its meaning. It specifies which particular item is being referred to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was approved" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that has received official or formal validation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usability. Appearing frequently in contexts like scientific research, news reporting, and business documentation, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the approving entity to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "which received approval" or "that was ratified" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which received approval

Uses a different structure, starting with 'which' instead of 'that' and emphasizing the reception of approval.

that received the green light

Replaces 'approved' with the idiomatic expression 'received the green light', indicating permission to proceed.

which gained acceptance

Emphasizes the act of being accepted rather than explicitly approved.

that was ratified

Suggests a more formal level of approval, often involving official confirmation.

that secured endorsement

Highlights the act of receiving support or endorsement from a respected source.

that obtained consent

Focuses on the aspect of getting permission or agreement.

which had been sanctioned

Emphasizes a formal or official authorization.

that was validated

Indicates the process of confirming something's accuracy or legitimacy.

that met the requirements

Focuses on compliance with specific criteria or standards.

which cleared all hurdles

Uses a metaphorical expression to show that all obstacles were overcome to get acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "that was approved" in a sentence?

Use "that was approved" to refer to something that has received official consent or validation in the past. For example, "The proposal "that was approved" will be implemented next quarter".

What phrases are similar to "that was approved"?

You can use alternatives like "which received approval", "that received the green light", or "that was ratified" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that is approved" instead of "that was approved"?

No, "that is approved" implies a current state of approval, while ""that was approved"" indicates that the approval occurred in the past. Use the appropriate tense based on the timing of the approval.

What's the difference between "that was approved" and "that was recommended"?

"That was approved" means something received official consent or validation, while "that was recommended" simply means it was suggested as a good course of action, without necessarily being officially accepted.