they were approving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were approving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people is expressing their approval or agreement regarding something. Example: "During the meeting, they were approving the new budget proposal after a thorough discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Federal officials said they were approving the rental assistance and hotel stays because even after utilities were reconnected, thousands of people could not simply return to houses that had sustained serious damage and needed major work.

The New York Times

But the new system — requiring applicants to show they have offers from approved colleges and adequate finances — was quickly overwhelmed, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, where applications soared and British officials complained that they were approving applications on paperwork alone, with no interviews.

The New York Times

This extraordinary consensus was possible, an examination by The New York Times shows, largely because no one involved -- not the top two C.I.A. officials who were pushing the program, not the senior aides to President George W. Bush, not the leaders of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees -- investigated the gruesome origins of the techniques they were approving with little debate.

The New York Times

There's more: No one involved — not the top two C.I.A. officials who were pushing the program, not the senior aides to President George W. Bush, not the leaders of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees — investigated the gruesome origins of the techniques they were approving with little debate.

The New Yorker

The FTC's complaint alleged that Apple failed to inform parents that by entering a password they were approving a single in-app purchase and also 15 minutes of additional unlimited purchases their children could make without further consent.

BBC

They were approving fraudulent documents en masse.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

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

Plosone

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

The Guardian - Business

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

The New York Times - Health

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were approving", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to and what they are approving. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "they were approving" implies universal acceptance. It only reflects the approval of the specific group referenced. Be precise about the extent and limitations of their approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were approving" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. This construction is used to describe an action (approving) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were approving" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of giving assent or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. Remember to clearly define the referent of "they" and the scope of their approval to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "they were endorsing" or "they were authorizing" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Its appropriate in a wide range of situations, while avoiding the trap of assuming universal acceptance, ensuring your writing remains both accurate and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were endorsing

Replaces "approving" with "endorsing", suggesting a more active and public expression of support.

they were sanctioning

Uses "sanctioning" instead of "approving", implying official permission or authorization.

they were authorizing

Substitutes "approving" with "authorizing", indicating the granting of power or right to do something.

they were giving the nod to

Replaces "approving" with a more informal idiom, "giving the nod to", suggesting tacit agreement.

they were consenting to

Uses "consenting to" instead of "approving", emphasizing agreement or permission.

they were agreeing to

Swaps "approving" for "agreeing to", highlighting the aspect of reaching a consensus or shared understanding.

they were ratifying

Replaces "approving" with "ratifying", suggesting formal confirmation or validation.

they were validating

Substitutes "approving" with "validating", implying confirmation of the truth or accuracy of something.

they were accepting

Uses "accepting" instead of "approving", focusing on receiving something willingly.

they were okaying

Replaces "approving" with a more casual term, "okaying", indicating informal approval.

FAQs

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

Use "they were approving" to describe a situation where a group expressed agreement or gave permission. For example, "They were approving the new policies during the board meeting."

What are some alternatives to "they were approving"?

Alternatives include "they were endorsing", "they were sanctioning", or "they were authorizing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "they were approving" or "they approved"?

"They approved" is generally more concise and suitable for most contexts. "They were approving" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the approval process or the duration of their agreement.

What's the difference between "they were approving" and "they were considering"?

"They were approving" indicates a decision has been made and agreement is being expressed. "They were considering" suggests a decision is still pending and under evaluation.