approve

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "approve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express support or agreement with something. For example: "The school board unanimously approved the new curriculum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What this means is that the Queensland government can approve projects that would normally require federal approval under environmental laws.

The Guardian

Spain is the second country in Europe to adopt the use of this spray after the Italian federation gave its approval, and it is thought that France and Germany will approve its use before the start of the new season.

The Guardian - Sport

In opposition O'Farrell said the Liberal/Nationals coalition would not approve the mine, but the application has been progressing with the planning assessment commission yet to make a decision on it.

The Guardian

More than that, he proudly declares he is challenging world leaders to get off the fence and approve his plans.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a clear signal the Rudd government is preparing for a crackdown on people smugglers ahead of the federal election, Carr said his department was preparing "up to date" information for the immigration tribunals about the political situation in the countries from which refugee applicants come, so they did not approve those who had no genuine fear of persecution.

The Guardian

Those God-fearing Free Presbyterians the Paisleys do not approve of betting, which they see as being as sinful as supping the "devil's buttermilk" (ie booze).

The Guardian

I wonder how many Australians would approve the idea of jailing a person pending trial "just in case" they might commit an offence.

The Guardian - Opinion

British plans for a nuclear renaissance centred on a nuclear reactor in Somerset achieved a breakthrough when a nine-month European Union state aid investigation ended with a call for Brussels to approve the project.

The Guardian

Those agencies follow a defined oversight chain, detailing who in the executive branch can approve intelligence operations and who in the legislature must be informed about them.

The Guardian

The prime minister commented: "That's buying British, I approve of that".

The Guardian

Asked about domestic opposition to the deal, the White House said it was not opposed to Congress providing oversight over the final settlement, but was vehemently opposed to legislation that would either empower the legislature to approve the deal or otherwise prevent officials from finalising the detail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "approve" with precise adverbs to enhance meaning and direction. Using words like 'unconditionally', 'provisionally', or 'partially' clarify the nature of the approval being granted.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "of" when expressing approval of something. It's grammatically incorrect to say "I approve the plan"; instead, use "I approve of the plan".

Linguistic Context

Approve primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of officially sanctioning, ratifying, or regarding something as good. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "approve" is used to denote formal endorsement or agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approve" is a versatile verb used to express agreement, support, or official authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and formal business contexts. When using "approve", it's crucial to specify what or whom is being approved, and consider using synonyms like "endorse" or "authorize" to convey more nuanced meanings. The common error to avoid is omitting the preposition "of" when expressing approval of something. By following these guidelines, you can use the word "approve" effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorize

Suggests granting power or right to do something.

endorse

Implies public support or recommendation, more forceful than simply "approve".

sanction

Implies official permission or authorization, often carrying legal or formal weight.

ratify

Suggests formal validation or confirmation of an agreement or decision.

sign off on

Implies formal approval or agreement, often after review.

consent to

Indicates agreement or willingness to allow something to happen.

give assent to

A more formal way of saying "agree to" or "consent to".

give the go-ahead

An informal way to express permission for something to proceed.

validate

Implies confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

accede to

Suggests agreeing to a demand or request, often reluctantly.

FAQs

How to use "approve" in a sentence?

You can use "approve" to indicate agreement or permission. For example, "The committee voted to approve the budget" or "I approve of your decision to study abroad".

What can I say instead of "approve"?

You can use alternatives like "endorse", "ratify", or "authorize" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "approve the plan" or "approve of the plan"?

While "approve the plan" is sometimes used, "approve of the plan" is generally considered more grammatically correct. The preposition "of" is usually required when expressing approval of something.

What's the difference between "approve" and "condone"?

"Approve" means to officially agree to something, while "condone" means to accept or allow something that is considered morally wrong or offensive to continue. You "approve" of something good; you condone something bad.