was being approved

USAGE SUMMARY

"was being approved" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to describe a situation that was in the process of being approved at a certain point in the past. Example: The proposal was being approved when the meeting was interrupted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He said it was being approved without appropriate investor safeguards and worried that it would lead to abuse".

The New York Times

Mr. Hussain's father remained in Karachi waiting for his own visa, but died of a heart attack in 2000, just as it was being approved, the family said.

The New York Times

As extravagant price after extravagant price earned rounds of applause from the audience, you had to wonder exactly what was being approved.

The New York Times

The government insisted the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in Somerset was being approved with "significant new safeguards" to make sure China and other foreign investors could not own stakes in British nuclear plants without UK government approval.

The Guardian

Several regents strongly objected to voting on the new master plan today, saying it was being approved before they could see the impact of the remedial proposal on students, faculty and the community.

The New York Times

As the bill was being approved in the House, matching legislation was being prepared for introduction in the Senate by Michael B. Enzi, Republican of Wyoming, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat of New York.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This study was been approved by the Institutional Review Board IRBB) of School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The protocol of this study was been approved by Research ethics committee of College of science, KSU, Riyadh, KSA.

BMC Pediatrics

Still, many applicants are being approved.

The New York Times

"There are projects that are problematic that are being approved," Lowe said.

The Guardian - Tech

The number of withdrawals has grown, in part because more drugs are being approved.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being approved" to emphasize that the approval process was ongoing at a specific time in the past. This can be useful when highlighting delays, interruptions, or the gradual nature of the approval.

Common error

Avoid using "was being approved" when the action is already fully approved. Instead, use "was approved" to indicate the process is complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being approved" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence was receiving approval from an external source. Ludwig AI confirms the usage as correct and provides examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being approved" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in English to describe an ongoing approval process. It appears most commonly in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is a passive voice construction that conveys that a process of approval was underway at a certain point in time. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the ongoing nature of the approval and avoid using it when the process is complete. Consider alternatives like "received approval" or "was granted assent" depending on the nuance you want to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received approval

Focuses on the result of the action rather than the process.

gained authorization

Emphasizes the act of granting official permission.

was granted assent

More formal and emphasizes agreement or consent.

was given the green light

Idiomatic and informal, suggesting permission to proceed.

was sanctioned

Implies official endorsement or permission, often by an authority.

was ratified

Suggests formal confirmation or validation, often by a governing body.

was endorsed

Focuses on public support or recommendation.

was cleared

Implies overcoming obstacles or meeting requirements for approval.

was passed

Highlights the successful completion of an approval process, especially in legislative contexts.

was rubber-stamped

Suggests a perfunctory or automatic approval, often without careful consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "was being approved" to describe a situation where the approval process was underway at a specific point in the past. For example: "The contract "was being approved" when the negotiations stalled".

What are some alternatives to "was being approved"?

Alternatives include phrases like "received approval", "gained authorization", or "was granted assent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Was being approved" indicates an ongoing approval process, while "was approved" signifies that the approval process is complete. The former highlights the action in progress, while the latter emphasizes the result.

Is "was being approved" formal or informal?

"Was being approved" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific context of the sentence will further determine the overall formality.