they were approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were approved" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use this phrase in a sentence such as: "The request for supplies was presented to the board of directors, and they were approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were approved by the local animal ethic committee of Rhone-Alpes, approval numbers 692660602, 0292.

Plosone

They were approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration FDAA) in 2005.

Cornell University

The networks made their recommendations Sunday, and they were approved by M.L.B. without much push-back.

The New York Times

They were approved by the commissioner of immigration, Doris Meissner, just before she left the job.

The New York Times

"The fact is, those plans were put in place, they were voted on, they were approved.

The Guardian - Business

More than half were consent decrees, meaning they were approved and managed in federal court.

The Washington Post

They were approved in August, but most people didn't know until Newsday published a big article.

The New York Times

The agency approved 24 of the drugs before they were approved in any other country.

The New York Times - Health

He suggested that such changes, if they were approved by Parliament, might leave him in an untenable position.

The New York Times

He declined to discuss the proposed baskets, a form of exchange-traded fund, before they were approved for sale.

The New York Times

Records for many were not available, but 309 contracts whose costs were estimated when they were approved totaled $10.5 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were approved" when you want to emphasize that a group, plan, or item has met the necessary criteria and has been officially accepted or authorized. For example, "The new policies were approved after a thorough review."

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The committee approved them", consider using "they were approved by the committee" to emphasize the items or plans themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were approved" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (represented by "they") has undergone a process of evaluation and has been deemed acceptable. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were approved" is a commonly used phrase indicating that something has been officially accepted or authorized. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it serves to convey the outcome of an evaluation process. While alternative phrases like "approval was granted" or "they got the green light" exist, the original phrase maintains a balance of formality suitable for diverse communication needs. It is essential to be used in passive voice to emphasize that a group, plan, or item has met the necessary criteria and has been officially accepted or authorized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they received approval

This alternative focuses on the act of receiving approval, rather than the state of being approved.

approval was granted

This is an impersonal construction, emphasizing the granting of approval over the recipients.

they got the green light

This is an idiomatic expression that conveys the same meaning but in a more informal way.

they were sanctioned

This term implies a more formal or official type of approval, often by an authority.

they were ratified

This suggests a formal validation or confirmation, often used in legal or political contexts.

they cleared

This is a shorter, more concise way of saying they passed the necessary requirements for approval.

they passed muster

An idiom meaning they met the required standards or tests for approval.

they had authorization

Focuses on possessing the authorization rather than the act of being approved.

they were okayed

A more informal and colloquial way of saying "they were approved".

they secured endorsement

Implies active effort to obtain approval or support.

FAQs

How can I use "they were approved" in a sentence?

Use "they were approved" to indicate that something has been officially accepted. For instance, "The proposed changes to the budget "they were approved" after a lengthy debate".

What's a more formal alternative to "they were approved"?

A more formal alternative could be "approval was granted". This phrasing is often used in official documentation or when a higher level of formality is required.

What can I say instead of "they were approved" in an informal context?

In an informal context, you could say "they got the green light" or "they were okayed".

Is "they were approved" the same as "they were authorized"?

While similar, "they were authorized" often implies that someone was given the power or right to do something, whereas "they were approved" means something met specific requirements or standards. They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but it's important to consider the nuance.