were not approved

USAGE SUMMARY

'were not approved' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example: The proposed changes to the budget were not approved by the board.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Religious members of Parliament could hold up approval of the budget if the conversion bill were not approved.

The New York Times

Others were not approved.

Harvard Business Review

Nine drugs were not approved.

The New York Times - Health

This year, two-thirds were not approved for visas.

The Washington Post

Prosecutors have maintained that those bonuses were not approved and were hidden from the board.

The New York Times

Almost half the planned medical supplies were not approved for the trip to Moadamiyah al-sham.

The Guardian

The paper had threatened to move to New Jersey if the Walnut sale were not approved.

The New York Times

Sometimes waivers were not approved, and immigrants were permanently separated from their American families.

The New York Times

Management had, understandably, indicated that loud, active performances were not approved in its dining facility.

The New York Times - Travel

Residences were not approved, though hotels, nightclubs and a few other uses were.

The New York Times

"Their application was considered, and they were not approved," Riley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality needed. While acceptable in most contexts, in highly formal writing, consider synonyms like "were rejected" or "were disapproved" for added precision.

Common error

Don't leave the reason for disapproval unstated when it is relevant. Include a concise explanation of why the subject "were not approved" to avoid confusion and provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not approved" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject did not receive approval from an implicit or explicit agent. This construction is widely used to convey a lack of authorization or endorsement, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not approved" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate a lack of endorsement or authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business domains. When using the phrase, clarity is key, especially in specifying who did not approve something and, when relevant, why. While direct synonyms like "were rejected" exist, they may convey a slightly stronger sense of refusal. Remembering these nuances will ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were rejected

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of being turned down.

were denied

Focuses on the refusal of a request or application.

were disapproved

A more formal synonym, highlighting official disapproval.

were turned down

An idiomatic alternative, suggesting a more casual rejection.

were not authorized

Emphasizes the lack of official permission.

were not sanctioned

Similar to 'authorized', but can also imply a lack of moral or ethical approval.

did not pass

Highlights failure to meet a required standard.

failed to be ratified

Specifically relates to the formal process of confirming or approving an agreement.

were vetoed

Suggests rejection by someone with specific power or authority to do so.

met with disapproval

Focuses on the reception of the subject, emphasizing the negative reaction it received.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "were not approved"?

You can use alternatives like "were rejected", "were denied", or "were disapproved" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were not approved"?

Yes, "were not approved" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that something did not receive approval.

How can I use "were not approved" in a sentence?

You can use "were not approved" to describe situations where a proposal, request, or plan did not receive the necessary authorization, such as: "The proposed budget changes "were not approved" by the committee."

What is the difference between "were not approved" and "were rejected"?

While similar, "were not approved" implies a lack of endorsement or authorization, while "were rejected" suggests a more forceful refusal. "Were not approved" is often used when something simply didn't meet the necessary criteria, while "were rejected" implies that something was considered and actively refused.