approve of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approve of something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing agreement or support for a particular idea, action, or proposal. Example: "The committee will meet next week to discuss whether they approve of the new policy changes."

✓ 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

When they approved of something, they gently nodded, and when they wanted something, they gently nodded, and when they were upset by something, they gently nodded and then shifted their body weight to indicate a significant change of attitude.

The New York Times - Books

Disciples imitated his mannerisms, like putting his hand over his forehead, exclaiming "Ja!" when he emphatically approved of something, soaking celery in water and using string bags to carry vegetables.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approve of something" when you want to express your agreement with or positive sentiment towards a specific action, idea, or plan. For example, "I approve of the new environmental regulations."

Common error

Avoid using "approve of something" in overly general contexts. Be specific about what you are approving. For example, instead of saying "I approve of freedom", specify "I approve of freedom of speech" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve of something" functions as a verb phrase, indicating agreement, acceptance, or positive regard towards a specific action, idea, or plan. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approve of something" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to express agreement, support, or positive sentiment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, specificity is key to avoiding vagueness. Alternatives include "endorse something" and "support something", depending on the desired nuance. Consider the level of formality required when choosing the most suitable alternative to "approve of something".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorse something

Focuses on giving formal approval or support.

support something

Indicates providing assistance or approval to something.

be in favor of something

States a preference or liking for something.

condone something

Implies overlooking or accepting something, often something morally questionable.

think well of something

Expresses a positive opinion or regard.

sanction something

Suggests giving official permission or authorization.

give blessing to something

Suggests providing approval or endorsement, often with a religious connotation.

countenance something

Means to admit as acceptable or possible.

accede to something

Indicates giving consent or agreement to.

ratify something

Signifies formal validation or confirmation.

FAQs

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

Use "approve of something" to express agreement or positive sentiment. For example, "My parents "approve of my career choice"" or "The council does not "approve of the proposed development"".

What's the difference between "approve of something" and "endorse something"?

"Approve of something" generally suggests agreement or satisfaction, while "endorse something" implies more active and public support.

Are there formal alternatives to "approve of something"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "sanction something", "ratify something", or "accede to something", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I don't approve of it"?

Yes, "I don't approve of it" is grammatically correct and a common way to express disagreement or disapproval.