approve for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approve for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase would be "approve of" or "approve for use." Example: "The committee will approve for the new policy to be implemented next month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

QUESTION FROM GUEST: Government regulators approve, for example, the MMR vaccine.

The New Yorker

Though her mother at first did not approve, for Mahmood emancipation in the US meant treading closer to scripture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among them is the difficulty of finding sites that local communities are likely to approve for rentals.

The New York Times

Daniel had been identified but it took a long time for the courts to approve for him to be placed with us".

Independent

Twelve days later, crowds gathered in front of the building, in the rain, to learn which of those contenders the council would officially approve for the ballot.

The New Yorker

The version of the device that the administration declined to approve for the United States was used abroad only in an alternative hip replacement procedure known as resurfacing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

(The paper was later approved for publication).

The New Yorker

This year, $11.8 million was approved for four centers.

The New York Times

Most are not approved for gastric cancer.

The New York Times - Health

Most are not approved for such use.

The New York Times

Not approved for use on humans".

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or grammatically precise writing, consider replacing "approve for" with "approve of" or "approve for use" to ensure clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "approve for" when "approve of" is the correct choice. Remember, "approve of" expresses general agreement or satisfaction, while "approve for use" specifies a purpose or application. For instance, instead of "I approve for this plan", say "I approve of this plan."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve for" functions as a verb phrase where 'approve' typically signifies granting permission or agreement, and 'for' introduces the recipient or purpose. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "approve for" is relatively common, Ludwig AI suggests that it's often grammatically incorrect. The more suitable alternatives are "approve of" or "approve for use", depending on the context. The prevalence of "approve for" is mainly in News & Media, though it also appears in scientific sources. To maintain grammatical precision and clarity, especially in formal writing, opting for the suggested alternatives is recommended. Always check the intended meaning to select the most appropriate and grammatically sound option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorize

Emphasizes the official permission granted.

permit

Focuses on allowing or granting permission.

endorse

Highlights the act of publicly supporting or recommending.

license

Highlights granting of permission to carry out a specific activity

sanction

Focuses on formally approving or permitting an action.

give the green light

Idiomatic way of saying to give permission to proceed.

ratify

Indicates formal confirmation or validation.

OK

Short and informal, indicating approval.

validate

Highlights the act of confirming something's legitimacy.

accredit

Implies official recognition of meeting certain standards.

FAQs

What's the difference between "approve for" and "approve of"?

"Approve of" generally means to have a favorable opinion of something. "Approve for" is often used incorrectly; it's better to use "approve for use" when specifying a purpose or application.

Is "approve for" grammatically correct?

While "approve for" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Standard English suggests using "approve of" or "approve for use" instead.

What can I say instead of "approve for" in a formal context?

In a formal context, consider using alternatives like "authorize", "endorse", or "sanction" to convey official approval or permission.

How to use "approve of" correctly in a sentence?

Use "approve of" when you want to express a positive opinion or agreement. For example, "My parents don't approve of my career choice" indicates they don't have a favorable view of the career choice.