they received approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they received approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone or a group has been granted permission or endorsement for something. Example: "After a thorough review, they received approval for their project proposal from the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They received approval to build there shortly before a new zoning law would have prohibited it.

The New York Times

They received approval and will continue offering the class in the future.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(These cars would still be barred from accepting street hails until they received approval from the taxi commission).

The New York Times

Under the Republican plan, insurers could alter the premiums, benefits and co-payments if they received approval from the government.

The New York Times

With the guidelines in place, case officers can show that they received approval from senior officials to go ahead with the recruitment.

The New York Times

But the policy still allowed interrogators to improvise if they received approval, according to a senior military official who briefed reporters at the Pentagon last month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

For example, the 32 acres being developed for the Ranches had half-acre zoning, which would have allowed Mr. Cassis and his partners to build only 64 houses instead of the 176 units for which they received approvals.

The New York Times

Insurers may decline to participate after they receive approval for their rates, but this is unlikely.

The New York Times - Health

If they receive approval, the owners are planning a fund-raising campaign to make the matches possible.

The New York Times

Once they receive approval, the institutions will be allowed to share the technology with branches worldwide, except with those in terrorist states.

The New York Times

We propose that when firms invent new financial products, they be forbidden to sell them until they receive approval from a government agency designed along the lines of the FDA, which screens pharmaceutical innovations.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check that the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a previously mentioned group or entity to maintain clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "they received approval" implies complete and unrestricted permission. Specify any limitations or conditions associated with the approval to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they received approval" functions as a statement indicating that a group or entity has been granted permission or endorsement for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The structure is subject-verb-object, and it follows standard grammatical conventions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they received approval" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a group has been granted permission or endorsement. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a correct statement. Its usage spans various contexts, from News & Media to Academia and Science, with a neutral register suitable for formal communication. Alternatives include "they were granted approval" and "they obtained authorization". When using the phrase, it’s important to specify the scope and conditions of the approval to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approval was granted to them

Reverses the sentence structure, emphasizing the granting of approval.

they were permitted

States that they were allowed to do something.

they were authorized

Uses the passive form to indicate they were given authority.

they obtained authorization

Employs a more formal term for permission.

they were cleared to proceed

Focuses on the clearance or permission to continue.

they were given the go-ahead

Uses a more informal idiom to indicate permission.

they secured endorsement

Highlights the support aspect of the approval.

they had the sanction

Emphasizes the official permission or ratification.

they got the green light

Uses a common metaphor for receiving permission to proceed.

they passed inspection

Indicates they met the requirements for approval.

FAQs

How can I use "they received approval" in a sentence?

Use "they received approval" to indicate that a group has been granted permission or endorsement for something. For instance, "After submitting the necessary documents, "they received approval" to start the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "they received approval"?

You can use alternatives such as "they were granted approval", "they obtained authorization", or "they were given the go-ahead", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they received approval"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules, with "they" as the subject, "received" as the verb, and "approval" as the object.

What is the difference between "they received approval" and "they obtained approval"?

Both phrases are very similar in meaning. "They received approval" implies that approval was given to them, while "they obtained approval" suggests that they actively acquired or achieved the approval. The difference is subtle and often negligible.