Approve of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Approve of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement or support for a particular idea, action, or decision. Example: "I do not approve of the changes made to the policy without consulting the team first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I don't want to speculate, but I am certainly not going to approve of something like that".

The New York Times

I wouldn't have been strong enough to resist the urge to compel people to do something bad, or approve of something violent.

The Guardian - Music

If you don't approve of something Facebook's doing, fine, there's millions of other people who do.

TechCrunch

So even if every member of society were to approve of something harmful to humanity, it would still be vicious.

SEP

What is it to approve of something other than to think it good perhaps with a charge of positive affect?

SEP

Hutcheson distinguishes between "exciting reasons", qualities that move us to act, and "justifying reasons", which are considerations that explain why we approve of something (1728: 1728.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Knowing that he approves of something is very important to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When a woman writes to the newspaper, approving of something I have done, she calls me "a nice old gentleman".

The New Yorker

If she approves of something, she will say that it 'gives you a good kick up the arse'.

The Guardian - Film

Libby Joy, of the Beatrix Potter Society, agreed that the author would not have approved of something "so far removed from her original story".

The Guardian - Books

When @RepRyanZinke approves of something, he tweets the Navy expression "bravo zulu" — at his son Konrad, at the Special Olympian Dakota Shaffer, at CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approve of something", ensure that the object of your approval is clearly stated. This avoids ambiguity and makes your endorsement explicit.

Common error

Avoid using "approve of something" in highly formal contexts where stronger verbs like "endorse" or "ratify" may be more appropriate to convey the gravity of the approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve of something" functions as a verb phrase expressing agreement, support, or a positive evaluation of a particular action, idea, or thing. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it conveys a sense of endorsement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approve of something" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express agreement or support. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality and clearly state the object of your approval. Consider alternatives like "endorse something" or "support something" for more formal or general contexts respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree with something

Expresses alignment in opinion or belief.

support something

A general term indicating agreement or approval.

be in favor of something

Indicates a positive disposition towards something.

endorse something

Implies a more formal or public declaration of support.

view something favorably

Indicates a positive perspective or assessment.

think highly of something

Expresses a positive opinion or estimation.

condone something

Suggests accepting something, even if it is not ideal.

sanction something

Suggests official permission or authorization.

countenance something

Similar to condoning, implying permission or acceptance.

ratify something

Implies formal approval, often in a legal or official context.

FAQs

What does "approve of something" mean?

To "approve of something" means to regard it favorably or to give consent or agreement to it. It indicates a positive judgment or endorsement.

How can I use "approve of something" in a sentence?

You can use "approve of something" to express your support or agreement, like in the sentence, "I "don't approve of" the changes made without consultation."

What are some alternatives to "approve of something"?

Alternatives include "endorse something", "support something", or "agree with something", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "approve of something" or "endorse something"?

"Endorse something" is generally considered more formal than "approve of something", implying a stronger and often public declaration of support.