approves

USAGE SUMMARY

'approves' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when expressing approval or agreement to an idea or plan. For example, "After considering the proposal, the board of directors approved it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Fisa court then approves those general procedures.

The Guardian - Opinion

It remains unknown how narrowly the secret Fisa court, which approves almost all surveillance requests, will interpret the basic definitions for what the government can now collect.

The Guardian

West approves of the current UK advertising guidelines, which say that vaping can't be glamorised, but Hazel Cheeseman, director of policy at Ash, is more cautious.

The Guardian

Hong Kong Exchanges, which operates the special administrative region's stock exchange, last year bought the LME, which approves and licenses a network of more than 700 metal storage facilities in 40 locations across the US, Europe and Asia.

The Guardian - Business

"Undergoing the test will become mandatory for an estimated 289 health centres across the GCC if the health council approves the proposal of tighter controls on gender tests for migrant workers," Tawfiq Khojah, a GCC health official, told the English-language newspaper.

The Guardian

Related: WHO approves 15-minute test for Ebola The test exploits the fact that the immune system makes antibodies to fight viruses whenever the body becomes infected.

The Guardian

The advisory committee on business appointments, which approves outside roles for former ministers, noted Hendry in his ministerial role had had dealings with companies he now works for, and with their competitors.

The Guardian

Only 34% of the population approves of the job the leaders of Congress are doing.

The Economist

(The government does not write the textbooks; it merely approves them for use).

The Economist

And only then, assuming the court approves, could the painstaking recount begin against the clock.

The Economist

The government promises to back such ventures with 110 billion yen ($1.17 billion) of hard cash.Dr Yamanaka's success comes just as Japan is reaping the benefits of a transformation in the way it approves, pays for and administers drugs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "approves" to indicate official or authoritative endorsement. For example, "The committee approves the budget proposal."

Common error

Ensure that the verb tense of "approves" matches the intended timeline. Avoid using "approves" when "approved" (past tense) or "will approve" (future tense) is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "approves" is that of a third-person singular present tense verb. It signifies an action performed by a single entity in the present, indicating agreement, endorsement, or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "approves" functions as a third-person singular present tense verb denoting agreement, endorsement, or authorization. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When writing, ensure the correct verb tense and context to effectively convey formal agreement or authorization. Alternatives such as "endorses" or "ratifies" may provide nuanced variations depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepts the proposal

Shows agreement to a suggested plan or offer.

gives the go-ahead

Replaces "approves" with an idiomatic expression indicating permission or authorization.

consents to the idea

Indicates agreement or willingness regarding a specific idea.

endorses the plan

Highlights support for a particular plan or proposal.

okays the measure

Informal alternative meaning to approve or give consent to a particular action.

grants permission

Formal alternative indicating the act of officially allowing something.

validates the approach

Affirms the legitimacy or correctness of a particular method.

ratifies the decision

Implies formal confirmation or validation of a decision.

authorizes the procedure

Indicates that someone has the power to give permission for a process to begin.

sanctions the action

Emphasizes formal approval or authorization, often in an official context.

FAQs

How is "approves" used in a sentence?

The term "approves" is used to indicate agreement or official sanction. For instance, "The board "approves" the new marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "approves"?

Alternatives include "endorses", "sanctions", or "ratifies", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "approves" and "supports"?

"Approves" typically suggests a formal agreement or authorization, while "supports" implies advocacy or encouragement. One "approves" a policy, but "supports" a cause.

Is it correct to say "He approves of the decision" or "He approves the decision"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "He approves of the decision" implies general agreement, while "He approves the decision" means he formally authorizes it.