approving of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approving of him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing someone's positive feelings or acceptance towards another person. Example: "She was always approving of him, praising his efforts and achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The new poll suggests that the prime minister's approval rating has accordingly improved, with 34% approving of him compared to 33% two weeks ago.

The Guardian

Mr Golding's poll ratings are poor but not disastrous, with 32% approving of him in June, up from 25% a year earlier.He said that the "challenges" of four years in office had "taken their toll".

The Economist

Her doctor suggested that she train him to help with her disorder, then wrote a letter approving of him as a service animal, saying that Richard was "a constructive way to avoid use of unnecessary medications".

The New York Times - Magazine

According to PPP, Boehner began 2011 with 35percentt of voters approving of him and 28percentt disapproving.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Obviously with a 90percentt approval rating, most of us approve of him.

The New York Times - Arts

All of her friends approved of him.

The New York Times - Style

More voters now disapprove of him than approve of him.

The Economist

A whopping 79% of Americans approve of him.

The Economist

C. might want you to approve of him".

The New Yorker

Parents did not approve of him, if they even knew.

The Economist

Just 36 percent approve of him; 47 percent disapprove.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approving of him" when you want to convey a sense of acceptance or satisfaction with someone's actions or character. Consider the context to determine if a more formal term like "endorsing him" or a more informal phrase like "giving him the thumbs up" is more appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "approving of him" may sound slightly informal in some professional or academic settings. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs like "endorsing", "supporting", or "validating" to convey a more authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approving of him" functions as a gerund phrase or a participial phrase. It often acts as an adjective, describing a state of acceptance or agreement towards an individual. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approving of him" is grammatically correct but relatively rare. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples primarily sourced from news media. While versatile, it may benefit from stronger alternatives in more formal contexts, such as "endorsing" or "supporting". Usage primarily conveys acceptance or satisfaction. Remember to consider context to ensure the best fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsing him

Indicates a more formal or public declaration of support.

supporting him

Implies active help and encouragement, not just agreement.

thinking highly of him

Focuses on positive opinion rather than explicit approval.

having a favorable opinion of him

More formal and less direct than "approving of him".

being in favor of him

Suggests active support and advocacy.

agreeing with him

Highlights alignment of thought rather than general approval.

ratifying his actions

Implies formal validation or confirmation of specific deeds.

giving him the thumbs up

Very informal; suggests simple approval or agreement.

being on his side

Indicates loyalty and willingness to defend or support him.

cheering him on

Focuses on encouragement and support, often in a competitive context.

FAQs

What does "approving of him" mean?

The phrase "approving of him" means that someone is expressing or feeling acceptance, agreement, or satisfaction with a particular person. It implies a positive judgment or endorsement.

What can I say instead of "approving of him"?

You can use alternatives like "endorsing him", "supporting him", or "thinking highly of him" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "approve of him" or "approving of him"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Approve of him" is a verb phrase, while "approving of him" is a gerund phrase (acting as a noun). For example, "I approve of him" vs. "I am approving of him" or "My action is approving of him"

How can I use "approving of him" in a sentence?

You can use "approving of him" as a descriptive phrase. For instance, "Her doctor wrote a letter "approving of him" as a service animal." Alternatively: "They were "approving of him"."