approve to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approve to" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is typically "approve of" when expressing approval or agreement with something. Example: "The committee will approve of the new policy after reviewing it thoroughly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

And Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican in Democratic-leaning Wisconsin, has managed to maintain a net positive job approval rating, but just barely: 50 percent approve to 46 percent disapprove.

The New York Times

A "yes" was a vote to approve to the measure.

The New York Times

We approve to the extent that we nick the bits we come to like: food, attire, language.

The Guardian

I feel sorry for that fellow because you and I know we did approve to Laird of 'protective reaction' as being very liberal".

The New Yorker

Naturally, I approve to the very toes of my blue stockings of the fact that Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway makes his list.

The Guardian - Books

Both Christensen and Dunham-Jones seem to approve, to put it mildly, of the idea of a retail moratorium until the current infrastructure can be put to use.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

(Both were approved to fill facial wrinkles).

The New York Times

However, we struggle to get approved to rent properties.

The Guardian

Remicade is approved to treat Crohn's disease in children.

The New York Times

It is approved to treat genital warts, not genital herpes.

The New York Times

No drugs have been approved to treat apnea.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "approve of" instead of "approve to" when you mean to express agreement or satisfaction with something. For example: "I approve of your decision."

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "approve" when expressing agreement. The correct preposition is "of". Using "approve to" is a common grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approve to" is intended to function as a verb phrase, expressing agreement or authorization. However, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "approve of" or alternatives like "endorse". Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as non-standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approve to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in standard English. As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct form is "approve of" when expressing agreement or endorsement. Depending on the context, alternatives like "endorse", "authorize", or "give approval to" may be more appropriate. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy to ensure clear and effective communication, especially in formal or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approve of

Changes the preposition to "of", which is grammatically correct when expressing agreement or endorsement.

give approval to

Replaces "approve" with the noun form "approval" and adds the verb "give" to create a grammatically sound phrase.

endorse

Offers a single-word synonym for "approve", conveying a stronger sense of support or recommendation.

authorize

Suggests granting official permission or sanction for something.

sanction

Implies giving formal approval or consent, often with an official or legal connotation.

ratify

Indicates formal confirmation or validation, typically of a legal document or agreement.

accede to

Means to agree or consent to something, often after initial reluctance.

assent to

Similar to "accede to", implying agreement or compliance.

consent to

Emphasizes giving permission or agreement, especially in legal or ethical contexts.

validate

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy or correctness of something.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "approve" with a preposition?

The correct way is to use "approve of", as in "I "approve of" your plan". The phrase "approve to" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "approve to"?

Use alternatives such as ""approve of"", "give approval to", or "endorse" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "approve to" or "approve of"?

"Approve of" is the correct form. "Approve to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

In what contexts might I use "endorse" instead of "approve of"?

While both convey agreement, "endorse" suggests a more active and public expression of support. You might endorse a candidate or a policy, while you might simply approve of a friend's decision.