were approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were approved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has received official consent or validation in the past. Example: "The new policies were approved by the board during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Four were approved.

The Economist

The construction plans were approved.

The Guardian

Seventeen Hispanics were approved and 6 denied.

The New York Times

All other ministerial nominations were approved.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three were approved in 2012 alone.

Independent

The raises were approved in July.

The New York Times

Reworked plans for 22 Bishopsgate were approved.

The Guardian

The changes were approved on Saturday.

The Guardian

The visas were approved before the hijackings.

The New York Times

New regulations were approved in September 2006.

The New York Times

(Both were approved to fill facial wrinkles).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were approved", ensure the subject clearly indicates what received the approval and the context in which it was approved.

Common error

Avoid using "were approved" without specifying who or what granted the approval, as this can leave the sentence vague and incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were approved" functions as the main verb in a passive construction. It indicates that a subject received official consent or validation. Ludwig examples show its widespread usage in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were approved" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that something has received official consent or validation. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what received approval and by whom. Alternatives include "were authorized" and "received approval". The phrase is generally neutral in tone, often employed in professional and formal settings. Ensure not to use ""were approved"" without specifying who gave the approval to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received approval

Changes the verb tense and voice while maintaining the core meaning.

were authorized

Emphasizes the permission or mandate aspect of the approval.

gained acceptance

Focuses on the act of being accepted rather than the process of approving.

were ratified

Implies a formal and official confirmation.

were sanctioned

Highlights the official permission or endorsement given.

were validated

Stresses the confirmation of something's accuracy or worth.

were cleared

Suggests the removal of obstacles or doubts before approval.

were endorsed

Implies public support and recommendation.

were given the green light

An idiomatic expression for receiving permission to proceed.

met with approval

Shifts the focus to the reaction or reception of something.

FAQs

How can I use "were approved" in a sentence?

The phrase "were approved" indicates that something has received official consent or validation. For example: "The new policies "were approved" by the board during the last meeting."

What are some alternatives to saying "were approved"?

You can use alternatives such as "were authorized", "received approval", or "gained acceptance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when talking about approvals?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The committee approved the proposal") is often more direct, but the passive voice ("The proposal "were approved" by the committee") can be useful when you want to emphasize the thing that was approved rather than who approved it.

What does it mean when something "were approved"?

When something ""were approved"", it means that it has been officially accepted, sanctioned, or ratified, typically by an authority or governing body.