approving that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approving that" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to the act of giving approval to something that has been stated or proposed. Example: "The committee is focused on approving that the new policy will take effect next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

And, she said, "a direct supervisor should always be the one who's approving that expense reimbursement".

The New York Times

In approving that law, Congress wanted to restrict eligibility for cash assistance while preserving access to Medicaid.

The New York Times

"Frankly, approving that project would have undercut that global leadership, and that is the biggest risk we face: not acting".

The Guardian

Then the committee waited six days before formally approving that price, even though the stock was trading at $103.94 at that time.

The New York Times

The region's authorities have been regularly criticized, particularly by European telecommunications operators, for approving that deal despite complaints that it would limit consumer choice.

The New York Times - Tech

Members of the Senate, which was at a standstill for much of the day as the surveillance measure was negotiated, filed out for their recess after approving that bill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"She never approved that image.

The New Yorker

Congress should approve that assistance.

The New York Times

Jacob Chol Dau, 19, said he was approved that same month.

The New York Times

The whole board of News Corp. approved that deal".

The New York Times

Shareholders are scheduled to approve that merger formally on June 12.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "ratifying" or "endorsing" for greater impact in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "approving that" in casual conversation; it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "agreeing with that" or "okaying that" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approving that" functions as a gerund phrase, with "approving" acting as a verb in its -ing form and "that" serving as a demonstrative pronoun referring to a previously mentioned item or action. This structure often appears when describing the act of giving formal consent or endorsement, which can be confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approving that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express formal agreement or endorsement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it often appears in news and formal business contexts. While acceptable, it's less common than simpler alternatives like "agreeing with that" in informal settings. For stronger impact in formal writing, consider synonyms such as "ratifying" or "endorsing". Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and avoid sounding overly formal in casual situations. Using synonyms can also improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreeing to that

Indicates concurrence or acceptance of a proposal or statement.

endorsing that

Suggests public support or recommendation, often implying advocacy.

confirming that

Highlights the act of verifying or validating something previously proposed or suggested.

giving consent to that

Implies granting permission, especially after careful consideration.

ratifying that

Indicates formal confirmation or sanctioning, emphasizing the official nature of the approval.

authorizing that

Focuses on the act of granting official permission or power for something to happen.

validating that

Emphasizes the act of checking or proving the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

sanctioning that

Implies giving official permission or authorization, often in the context of rules or laws.

assenting to that

A more formal way of saying agreeing to something, often used in legal or official contexts.

giving the go-ahead for that

An informal way to express permission or authorization for a particular action or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "approving that" in a sentence?

You can use "approving that" when you want to express the action of formally agreeing to something that has been mentioned. For example: "The committee is focused on approving that the new policy will take effect next month."

What's a more formal alternative to "approving that"?

For more formal alternatives, consider using "ratifying that", "endorsing that", or "authorizing that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "approving of that" grammatically correct instead of "approving that"?

While "approving of that" is grammatically correct, "approving that" is more concise and often preferred, especially in formal writing. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it best to use "approving that" versus more common phrases like "agreeing with that"?

"Approving that" is best used when referring to a formal decision or endorsement. "Agreeing with that" is a more general expression of agreement and can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal.