were given approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were given approval" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has received permission or endorsement from an authority or relevant party. Example: "The proposed changes to the policy were given approval by the board during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The Guardian understands that the delegation were given approval to visit the immigration processing centre in official correspondence with Australia and Nauru.

The Guardian

Creditors agreed to pay Mr. Legere's taxes after he took a pay cut and they were given approval over his annual bonus, which could be as much as $1.4 million.

The New York Times

Supporters of Bletchley Park, home to crucial code-breaking work during the Second World War and birthplace of the computer, expressed delight today after outline proposals to overhaul the site were given approval by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Guardian - Tech

Martin Birchall, a UCL professor of laryngology who coordinated the surgery, said that on the back of positive reports from Karolinska, the team were given approval to perform a synthetic trachea transplant under compassionate use rules.

The Guardian

Marines were given approval to use a green laser whose beam can temporarily reduce a person's vision when aimed from a distance of 1,000 yards, according to the report.

The Washington Post

Free schools were given approval in the Academies Act 2010, which also paved the way for existing state primary and secondary schools to become academies.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The names Tarzan and Mowgli have also been given approval.

Independent

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

The New Yorker

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the active voice (e.g. "the committee approved") for a more direct and concise sentence structure, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who or what "were given approval". Without a clear subject, the sentence can become confusing and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given approval" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something received permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It highlights the action of approving rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were given approval" is a grammatically sound passive construction frequently used to indicate that something has received official permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While common across various contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science. For clearer and more direct communication, consider using active voice alternatives like "received approval" or simply restructuring the sentence to highlight the approving entity. The phrase holds a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse settings. However, being explicit about who granted the approval is important to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received approval

Uses a more direct and concise active voice construction instead of the passive "were given approval".

obtained approval

Similar to "received approval", but emphasizes the effort or process involved in getting the approval.

were authorized

Suggests a formal granting of permission, often by an official body.

were sanctioned

Implies official permission or endorsement, often related to rules or regulations.

were permitted

Indicates that something was allowed or not prohibited.

gained endorsement

Focuses on the support or backing received, rather than just permission.

secured the green light

An idiomatic expression meaning to receive permission to proceed.

had the go-ahead

Informal way to say someone was given permission to begin something.

were cleared

Suggests overcoming obstacles or meeting requirements to receive permission.

were ratified

Implies a formal confirmation or validation of something.

FAQs

What does "were given approval" mean?

The phrase "were given approval" means that someone or something received permission or authorization for a particular action or plan. It indicates that a request or proposal has been accepted by an authority or relevant party.

How can I rephrase "were given approval" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "were given approval" with phrases like "received approval", "obtained approval", or "were authorized". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.

Is "were given approval" grammatically correct?

Yes, "were given approval" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that approval was granted. However, using the active voice can sometimes make the sentence more direct and easier to understand.

What's a more concise alternative to "were given approval"?

A more concise alternative is to use the active voice and state who granted the approval. For example, instead of "The plans were given approval by the committee", you could say "The committee approved the plans".