won the approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won the approval" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that someone or something has gained the support or agreement of others. Example: The new educational program won the approval of the school board for its innovative approach to teaching.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And they've won the approval of the originals, too.

The Guardian - Music

This won the approval from everyone except the usually talkative Mr Win Aung.

The Economist

The appointment of Mr. Cutifani won the approval of some analysts.

The New York Times

Barbie never won the approval of authorities in the Muslim world, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Roosevelt won the approval of historians by challenging, even circumventing, American resistance to war.

The Washington Post

The plan won the approval of one surprise guest – Microsoft founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates.

The Guardian - Tech

But in the Andante he made sounds that might have won the approval of Schnabel himself.

The New Yorker

The proposals have won the approval of the High Pay Centre.

The Guardian - Business

But Swift has also won the approval of people in the music industry, from Neil Young ("I like Taylor Swift.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Romney again won the approval of the crowd by responding, "Our problem is not 11 million grandmothers".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ms Veale, who spent hours researching the night sky and the solar system, has even won the approval of experts at the National Space Centre for her character.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "won the approval", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is granting the approval. For example, "The project won the approval of the city council."

Common error

Avoid vague phrasing that doesn't specify who granted the approval. Instead of saying "The idea won approval", specify "The idea won the approval of the design team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won the approval" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject has successfully obtained consent, endorsement, or agreement from a person or group. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "won the approval" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that something has received official endorsement or acceptance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's best practice to specify who granted the approval for clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "gained acceptance" or "secured endorsement", depending on the desired nuance. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gained acceptance

Highlights the process of becoming widely accepted or agreed upon.

garnered support

Emphasizes the gathering or accumulation of support from multiple sources.

secured endorsement

Emphasizes the act of gaining formal support or backing.

obtained consent

Focuses on getting explicit agreement or permission.

found favor with

Implies that someone or something became liked or approved by a particular person or group.

received the green light

Implies receiving permission or authorization to proceed.

got the nod

An informal way of saying that someone has received approval or authorization.

earned commendation

Suggests receiving praise or recognition for something well done.

passed muster

Indicates that something has met the required standards or expectations.

prevailed upon

Suggests successfully persuading someone to agree or approve.

FAQs

How can I use "won the approval" in a sentence?

Use "won the approval" to indicate that someone or something has been officially accepted or endorsed, like in the sentence: "The new policy "won the approval" of the board after revisions".

What's a more formal way to say "won the approval"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "secured endorsement" or "obtained consent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "won the approval"?

You can use alternatives like "gained acceptance", "received the green light", or "garnered support" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who granted the approval when using "won the approval"?

While not always strictly necessary, specifying who granted the approval often adds clarity and strengthens the sentence. For example, saying "The plan "won the approval"" is less informative than "The plan "won the approval" of the committee".