was given approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was given approval" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has received permission or endorsement from an authority or relevant party. Example: "The project proposal was given approval by the board during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

On May 7, Old National was given approval to buy back its warrants for $1.2 million.

The New York Times

After contacting the Party, Prokhorov says that he then approached the Kremlin and was given approval.

The New Yorker

Renzi was given approval to form a government, and he was sworn in as prime minister on February 22 , 2014

Encyclopedia Britannica

In October a grammar school in Kent was given approval by the Department for Education to open a "satellite" selective school in another town.

The Guardian

"I was given approval by the hospital director and engineering department to relocate the store, and construction started," Mr. Silverio recalled.

The New York Times

It was given approval to operate services between London and the north-east in 2006, with its first trains running by the end of 2007.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The names Tarzan and Mowgli have also been given approval.

Independent

Poundland's £55 million acquisition of rival 99p Stores has provisionally been given approval.

Independent

This year at least three new CCPs have been given approval to clear credit derivatives.

The Economist

Army doctors can accept money to consult for medical product companies if they are given approval.

The New York Times

Variety reports that MGM, which is planning the spin-off, has been given approval by Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was given approval", clearly identify who granted the approval to provide context and authority to the statement. For example: "The project was given approval by the board of directors".

Common error

Ensure the subject of the sentence agrees in number with the verb. Avoid saying "The projects was given approval" when referring to multiple projects; instead, use "The projects were given approval".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given approval" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received authorization or permission from an external source. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was given approval" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has received official permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, this phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for formal reporting. While alternatives like "received approval" or "was authorized" exist, "was given approval" provides a clear and widely understood way to convey that a decision or plan has been officially sanctioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was granted permission

Rephrases the original, explicitly including "permission".

received authorization

Uses "authorization" instead of "approval", implying a more formal permission.

was authorized

Simplifies the phrase to a passive verb, focusing on the act of authorization.

was permitted

Replaces "approval" with "permission", indicating allowance to do something.

obtained consent

Replaces "approval" with "consent", emphasizing agreement or permission.

secured endorsement

Uses "endorsement" instead of "approval", suggesting support or recommendation.

had sanction

Uses "sanction" which implies a formal approval or authorization, often from an official body.

was cleared

Suggests an obstacle was removed, allowing something to proceed.

met with affirmation

More formal language that replaces "approval" with "affirmation", suggesting confirmation or agreement.

gained the green light

An idiomatic alternative meaning permission to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "was given approval" in a sentence?

You can use "was given approval" to indicate that something received permission or endorsement, for example, "The plan "was given approval" by the committee".

What are some alternatives to saying "was given approval"?

Alternatives include "received authorization", "obtained consent", or "was authorized". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing approval?

While "was given approval" is passive, active voice (e.g., "The committee approved the plan") can be more direct. Choose the voice that best suits the context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "was given approval" or "received approval"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely used. "Received approval" is a slightly more concise option, but "was given approval" is equally acceptable.