we have sanctioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have sanctioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that approval or permission has been granted for a particular action or decision. Example: "After careful consideration, we have sanctioned the new policy changes that will take effect next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We have sanctioned Castro for 40 years, and so far he has outlived nine U.S. presidencies.

The New York Times

"When we allow a person on an installation," Mr. Molino said, "there is at least the implication that we have sanctioned your presence".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But to take another's life because it simply cramps your style, knowing that there is a line around the block of young couples who are aching to adopt, is a dubious matter indeed, and once we've sanctioned it, it's just a hop, skip and a jump away from the little Oxford Mengeles and their "ethics".

Huffington Post

We have sanctions against us.

The Guardian

Why do we have sanctions on Iraq and not, say Zimbabwe?

The Guardian

"That is not something we knew about or would have sanctioned," Mr. McKeon said.

The New York Times

The club have sanctioned it.

The Guardian - Sport

I was usually barefoot in the dirt: no Game Boys, no computers, and we had sanctions, so there were no concerts.

The New York Times - Style

We had sanctions in Serbia for years on end living under the regime of Slobodan Milosevic.

Huffington Post

If we understand that our government has sanctioned torture, Mr. Coetzee writes in that book, "then the issue for individual Americans becomes a moral one: how, in the face of this shame to which I am subjected, do I behave?

The New York Times

Many of us have overspent and we now have sanction to talk about it to other people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we have sanctioned", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the sanctioning and what is being sanctioned. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we have sanctioned" if you lack the legitimate authority to do so. Ensure that the statement reflects an actual power or permission held by the speaker or group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have sanctioned" functions as a performative utterance, primarily to declare the formal approval or imposition of penalties by a collective entity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through examples where actions or presences are officially endorsed or restricted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have sanctioned" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate official approval or the imposition of penalties, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis. Predominantly found in news and formal contexts, it conveys a sense of authority and institutional decision-making. For alternative phrasings, consider options like "we have authorized" or "we have approved" to convey a similar meaning with slight nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the sanctioning entity and the object of the sanction to maintain precision and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have authorized

Focuses on granting official permission or approval.

we have approved

Emphasizes agreement and positive endorsement of something.

we have permitted

Highlights the act of allowing something to occur.

we have endorsed

Suggests public support and recommendation.

we have validated

Implies confirmation of something's correctness or legitimacy.

we have penalized

Shifts the focus to imposing a penalty or punishment.

we have levied sanctions against

More formal and specific, often used in political or economic contexts.

we have imposed restrictions on

Highlights the implementation of limitations or controls.

we have given our blessing to

Suggests formal approval or permission, often with a sense of authority or importance.

we have given the go-ahead for

Emphasizes the granting of permission for an action to proceed.

FAQs

What does "we have sanctioned" mean?

The phrase "we have sanctioned" means that a group or entity has officially approved or authorized something, or has imposed penalties or restrictions on someone or something.

How can I use "we have sanctioned" in a sentence?

Use "we have sanctioned" to indicate formal approval or authorization, such as "we have sanctioned the new policy", or to denote the imposition of penalties, as in "we have sanctioned the country with trade embargoes".

What are some alternatives to "we have sanctioned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we have approved", "we have authorized", or "we have imposed sanctions".

Is it correct to say "we have sanctioned"?

Yes, "we have sanctioned" is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal and professional contexts to indicate that something has been officially approved or that penalties have been imposed.