was it approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was it approved" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the status of an approval process for a document, project, or decision. Example: "I submitted the proposal last week; was it approved by the committee?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Last October, United Nations investigators said a deal struck between the Somali government and Soma in 2013 to conduct seismic surveys in Somalia and its territorial waters had "never been made public, nor was it approved by the federal parliament of Somalia".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If it was a movie, was it Mom-approved?

Huffington Post

Yes, the app is real, it's approved, and it should be live at this link.

TechCrunch

"We've always looked at it with the simple fact that this is the law, it was approved by Congress, it was approved by the Supreme Court.

Huffington Post

It's unclear whether it was approved.

Vice

There's no cost if it's approved.

Huffington Post

It was approved and the project was complete.

Vice

It was approved and has since been the official constitution.

Wikipedia

But it was approved.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was approved, not rejected.

The New York Times

It was approved 56.6percentto43.4percentcent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required. While "was it approved" is generally suitable for most situations, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "was it authorized" or "was permission granted".

Common error

Avoid using "was it approved" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader knows what is being referred to, either through previous sentences or by specifying it directly, such as "was the budget approved?".

Linguistic Context

"Was it approved" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a question. This expression is used to inquire about whether something has received the necessary authorization or agreement. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is widely used across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was it approved" serves as a straightforward inquiry about the approval status of something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki sources. Ludwig's assessment further suggests the phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject being inquired about to avoid ambiguity. Consider context-specific alternatives like "was it authorized" or "did it get the go-ahead" to fine-tune the message. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was it authorized

Replaces "approved" with a synonym emphasizing official permission.

was it sanctioned

Similar to "approved" but often implies a more formal or official endorsement.

did it get the go-ahead

An idiomatic expression meaning to receive permission to proceed.

was it given the green light

Another idiomatic phrase indicating permission to start or continue.

was it ratified

Implies formal confirmation, often in legal or political contexts.

was it endorsed

Suggests public support or recommendation.

was it cleared

Indicates that an obstacle or objection has been removed, allowing progress.

was it passed

Commonly used for laws, regulations, or motions.

was permission granted

More formal way to inquire whether permission was given.

did it meet the requirements

Focuses on whether the subject satisfied the necessary criteria for approval.

FAQs

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

You can use "was it approved" to inquire about the status of something needing approval. For example: "The design proposal was submitted last month; "was it approved" by the board?". Always ensure the context makes clear what "it" refers to.

What are some alternatives to "was it approved"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was it authorized", "was it sanctioned", or "did it get the go ahead". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was it approved" formal or informal?

"Was it approved" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for most contexts. However, in highly formal settings, using alternatives like "was permission granted" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "was it approved" and "has it been approved"?

Both "was it approved" and "has it been approved" inquire about the status of an approval. "Was it approved" typically refers to a specific point in the past, while "has it been approved" implies a more recent or ongoing assessment. For instance, if you're asking about a decision made at a meeting yesterday, "was it approved" is suitable. If you're checking the current status of a pending application, "has it been approved" is more fitting.