was approved

USAGE SUMMARY

"was approved" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when describing a past event or action that has been authorized or sanctioned by someone in a position of authority. Example: The proposal for the new project was approved by the board of directors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The app was approved.

The New York Times - Arts

But it was approved.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Eventually, compensation was approved).

The New Yorker

His request was approved.

The New Yorker

The plan was approved.

The New York Times - Arts

The application was approved.

The New York Times

His application was approved.

The New Yorker

The moratorium application was approved.

The New York Times

"I was approved," I say.

The New York Times

It was approved, not rejected.

The New York Times

That change was approved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was approved", ensure the subject clearly identifies what received approval. For example: "The budget was approved by the committee."

Common error

Avoid using "was approved" without specifying who approved something. Example: Instead of saying "It was approved", specify "The board approved it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was approved" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received authorization or consent. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was approved" is a very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has received official authorization or consent. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who granted the approval. Alternative phrases include "received approval" and "gained acceptance". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "was approved" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received approval

Focuses on the act of receiving approval, rather than the state of being approved.

gained acceptance

Emphasizes the acceptance aspect of the action.

obtained authorization

Highlights the formal authorization aspect.

secured endorsement

Stresses the act of gaining support or endorsement.

met with approval

Indicates a positive reception or reaction.

was sanctioned

Focuses on the official sanctioning of something.

passed the review

Highlights successful completion of a review process.

got the green light

An idiomatic expression meaning permission to proceed.

was ratified

Emphasizes formal confirmation, often in legal contexts.

was given the go-ahead

Similar to "got the green light", indicating permission.

FAQs

How do I use "was approved" in a sentence?

Use "was approved" to indicate that something has received official authorization or agreement. For instance, "The proposal "was approved" by the council" means the council officially authorized the proposal.

What are some alternatives to saying "was approved"?

Alternatives include phrases like "received approval", "gained acceptance", or "obtained authorization", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was approved"?

While "was approved" is in the passive voice, it's grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the subject receiving approval or the entity granting approval. Using the active voice is often more direct: 'The committee approved the proposal'.

What's the difference between "was approved" and "was accepted"?

"Was approved" implies a formal authorization or endorsement, whereas "was accepted" suggests a more general agreement or willingness to receive something. A proposal might be approved by a board, but a gift is accepted by an individual.