approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an act of giving permission or a sign that something is satisfactory. Example sentence: The manager signed the document, giving his approval to the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A press release in support of AWH's bid was issued by Hartcher after being approved by Di Girolamo, earning the approval of federal Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, who sat on the water company's board at the time, and emailed the AWH head: "thanks mate.

The Guardian

Meanwhile David Cameron's approval rating continues to tick downwards, with 28% approving compared to 29% who don't in the last poll.

The Guardian

The Kevin's Corner mine has been approved by Greg Hunt, the federal environment minister, however, the approval is subject to more than 70 conditions.

The Guardian

However, both Miliband and David Cameron saw their personal approval ratings fall by the same amount, with 35% approving of Cameron and 23% of Miliband.

The Guardian

Keneally said Parry said his concerns were on the condition the minute was approved and the concerns raised with her were that the approval of the minute would be a corruption of government process.

The Guardian

It said: [Evraz] is seeking approval...of the holders of the notes to remove a covenant requiring the company to maintain the net leverage ratio at or below a specified level.

The Guardian - Business

Political funds are already subject to approval being given in regular ballots by unions.

The Guardian

To date the politician – one of Greece's canniest operators – has managed to maintain approval ratings of close to 70% despite rolling back on almost every promise he has made.

The Guardian

The film is correct that Disney gave Travers script approval; it was apparently the only time he had ever granted this right to anyone outside his company, except for government censors during the second world war.

The Guardian - Film

Fifa had earlier claimed "Neither the secretary general Jérôme Valcke nor any other member of Fifa's senior management were involved in the initiation, approval and implementation of the project".

The Guardian - Sport

For now, the propaganda is working among large sections of the population, and Putin's approval ratings remain high.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider the audience when seeking "approval". Adapt your language, tone, and level of detail to suit the recipient's role, understanding, and preferences.

Common error

Avoid using "approval" when you mean "improve". "Approval" means to give permission or to agree with something, while "improve" means to make something better. Don't say "I need to get an approval on my skills" when you should say "I need to improve my skills".

Linguistic Context

The noun "approval" primarily functions as a countable or uncountable noun representing the act of officially agreeing to something or the positive feeling associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approval" is a versatile noun used to express agreement, permission, or positive endorsement across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common, especially in news, business, and scientific settings. While alternatives like "endorsement" or "permission" may be suitable substitutes depending on the nuance you wish to convey, understanding the contexts in which "approval" is most appropriately used will enhance your writing. Remember to distinguish between "approval" and "improve" to avoid common errors, and always tailor your language to your audience when seeking or granting "approval".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsement

Emphasizes a public expression of support or recommendation.

permission

Highlights the act of allowing something to happen.

sanction

Implies official authorization or consent.

authorization

Focuses on the formal granting of power or right.

clearance

Indicates that something has been officially allowed to proceed.

agreement

Highlights a mutual understanding or consent.

ratification

Implies formal confirmation or validation.

validation

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

acceptance

Emphasizes the act of willingly receiving or agreeing to something.

accreditation

Highlights the recognition of meeting certain standards.

FAQs

How is "approval" used in a sentence?

You can use "approval" to describe the act of giving permission, like in "The project is pending management's approval". It can also refer to a positive sentiment, as in "The new policy received widespread approval".

What can I say instead of "approval"?

You can use alternatives like "endorsement", "permission", or "authorization", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "approval" and "consent"?

"Approval" often implies a formal endorsement or agreement, while "consent" suggests voluntary agreement or permission. Use "consent" when someone willingly agrees to something, and "approval" when a formal or official endorsement is needed.

Is it correct to say "give approval to" or "give approval for"?

Both "give approval to" and "give approval for" are acceptable, but "give approval to" is generally more common when referring to a person or entity. For example, "The committee gave approval to the proposal". "Give approval for" is used when referring to an action or event, for example, "The council gave approval for the construction of the new building".