was sanctioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was sanctioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which someone was officially punished or given serious official disapproval for an action. Example: The organization was sanctioned for its unethical behavior.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He went nonetheless – and was sanctioned by the local authority.

Independent

"He did it twice and he was sanctioned.

The New York Times - Sports

And many believed it was sanctioned from above.

The New York Times

A woman was sanctioned for attending cancer treatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arumme A friend of mine was sanctioned last year.

The Guardian

Things for which he was sanctioned, punishments he served.

The Guardian - Sport

A man was sanctioned for attending a funeral.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was sanctioned over Christmas 2013 for 4 weeks.

The Guardian

It was deemed inadequate and he was sanctioned.

The Guardian

According to Finchem, Singh, 50, was sanctioned Feb. 19 for an antidoping violation, and he appealed.

The New York Times - Sports

In my house in Washington, D.C., a half-century later, reading was sanctioned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was sanctioned" to convey a formal or official disapproval or penalty, distinguishing it from more general terms like 'punished' or 'reprimanded'.

Common error

Avoid using "was sanctioned" when referring to informal or personal disapproval. The term implies an official or authoritative action, not merely a disagreement or personal criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sanctioned" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received a sanction. This means the subject was the recipient of an action, whether it be an approval or a penalty, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was sanctioned" is a frequently used and grammatically correct passive verb phrase that indicates the receipt of a sanction, whether it be an official approval or penalty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure you clarify the authorizing entity and the reason for the sanction to maintain clarity and authority. While alternatives such as "was penalized" or "was authorized" exist, "was sanctioned" is most appropriate when conveying an official and impactful action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was penalized

Focuses specifically on the imposition of a penalty for wrongdoing.

was punished

Highlights the infliction of a punishment due to an offense.

was authorized

Emphasizes the granting of official permission or approval.

was approved

Suggests a more general form of endorsement or agreement.

was endorsed

Implies public support or recommendation.

was reprimanded

Indicates a formal expression of disapproval.

faced consequences

Broadly refers to experiencing the results of an action, often negative.

incurred a penalty

Similar to 'was penalized', focusing on the act of receiving a penalty.

received a ban

Highlights the imposition of a prohibition or restriction.

was given the go-ahead

Indicates permission or authorization to proceed with something.

FAQs

How is "was sanctioned" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was sanctioned" is generally used in a passive construction, indicating that someone or something received an official penalty or approval. For example, "The company "was sanctioned" for violating environmental regulations" or "The project "was sanctioned" by the board of directors".

What are some alternatives to using "was sanctioned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was penalized", "was punished", "was authorized", or "was approved". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize penalty, punishment, or authorization.

Which is correct, "was sanctioned" or "is sanctioned"?

Both "was sanctioned" and "is sanctioned" are grammatically correct, but they differ in tense. "Was sanctioned" refers to a past event, while "is sanctioned" refers to a present or ongoing state. For example, "The activity "was sanctioned" last year" vs. "The activity "is sanctioned" by current regulations".

What's the difference between "was sanctioned" and "was reprimanded"?

"Was sanctioned" implies a more formal and often severe penalty or approval than "was reprimanded". Reprimanding is a form of disapproval or scolding, while sanctioning can involve fines, suspensions, or other significant consequences.