were sanctioned

USAGE SUMMARY

"were sanctioned" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has been officially approved or allowed. Example: The construction of the new city park was sanctioned by the local government. This means that the local government officially approved or allowed for the construction of the new city park.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both were sanctioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Unsurprisingly they did not manage this task and were sanctioned".

The Guardian

None of the sites were sanctioned by Anheuser-Busch.

The New York Times

But what if "hard-working" people were sanctioned?

The Guardian

In 1924 the Winter Games were sanctioned for winter sports.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another that would permit such action if it were sanctioned by the United Nations was approved.

The New York Times

Bank Rossiya and Sobinbank were sanctioned in 2014, and ABR Management was sanctioned in 2016.

The Guardian

Between 2011 and 2015, almost one in four of all jobseeker's allowance claimants were sanctioned.

The Guardian

Turkey's airstrikes against Kurdish targets, which began in December, were sanctioned by the United States.

The New York Times

The deals were sanctioned by owner Ali al-Faraj's financial director, Danny Azougy.

Independent

There is no hard evidence, however, that the attacks were sanctioned by the Iranian government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were sanctioned", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean 'officially approved' or 'penalized'. The meaning depends heavily on the subject being sanctioned.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context. For instance, clarify whether actions "were sanctioned" (approved) or individuals "were sanctioned" (penalized) to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were sanctioned" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has either received official authorization or has been subjected to a penalty. The meaning depends on the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were sanctioned" is a versatile passive verb phrase indicating either official approval or the imposition of penalties. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. Context is crucial for discerning its intended meaning. Related phrases like "were authorized" or "were penalized" can provide clarity in ambiguous situations. When using this phrase, ensure your writing clearly indicates whether authorization or punishment is intended. With 57 real-world examples, Ludwig demonstrates the breadth and depth of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were authorized

Indicates official permission or approval has been granted; a direct synonym.

were given approval

A more descriptive alternative, highlighting the act of granting permission.

were approved

Suggests a formal endorsement or agreement, less forceful than "sanctioned".

were legitimized

Similar to 'authorized', implying official acceptance or legal standing.

were penalized

Emphasizes the imposition of a penalty for wrongdoing, aligning with one aspect of "sanctioned".

were endorsed

Implies public support or recommendation, a less direct synonym.

were ratified

Indicates formal validation or confirmation, often in a legal context.

were commissioned

Suggests formal ordering or request, particularly for creative works or projects.

were validated

Emphasizes the confirmation of something's accuracy or legitimacy.

were condemned

Represents the opposite of sanctioned, highlighting strong disapproval.

FAQs

How is "were sanctioned" used in a sentence?

"Were sanctioned" can indicate either approval or punishment. For example, "The project "was sanctioned" by the board" (approved) or "The country "was sanctioned" by the UN" (penalized).

What's the difference between "were sanctioned" and "were authorized"?

"Were sanctioned" can imply either official approval or the imposition of penalties, whereas "were authorized" primarily denotes official permission or approval. The context dictates the meaning of "were sanctioned".

What are some synonyms for "were sanctioned" when referring to approval?

When "were sanctioned" implies approval, synonyms include "were approved", "were endorsed", or "were ratified".

What are some synonyms for "were sanctioned" when referring to penalties?

When "were sanctioned" implies penalties, synonyms include "were penalized", "were punished", or "were fined".