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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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approving to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approving to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used, and the intended meaning may be unclear without additional context. Example: "I am not approving to the changes made in the document."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"In appointing the board and approving, to the extent that a mayor does, the final result," Mr. Rosenfeld said, "a mayor is balancing out how much influence the real estate lobby has and the dollars it provides to political campaigns with the potential votes of 1 million regulated apartments".

News & Media

The New York Times

He read the Constitution, for instance, to outlaw the death penalty even though provisions of the Constitution refer approving to capital punishment.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Both were approved to fill facial wrinkles).

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times

However, we struggle to get approved to rent properties.

News & Media

The Guardian

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

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times

No drugs have been approved to treat apnea.

Last year, another antibiotic, Synercid, was approved to treat VREF.

News & Media

The New York Times

Photo: Zyprexa, an Eli Lilly drug, is approved to treat schizophrenia.

News & Media

The New York Times

It is also approved to treat head and neck cancer.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "approving to" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "agreeing to" or "giving approval to" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

A common mistake is using "to" after "approve" when it's not needed. Instead of "approving to", use "approving of" when followed by a noun or gerund, or simply "approve" followed by a noun phrase.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approving to" functions as a verb phrase attempting to express agreement or endorsement. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not correct in standard English. It aims to convey the act of giving approval but fails grammatically.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approving to" is a grammatically incorrect construction in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. While some examples exist, they don't validate its correctness. Instead, opt for alternatives like "agreeing to", "consenting to", or "giving approval to" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The phrase's primary intent is to express agreement or endorsement, but its incorrect structure undermines effective communication. Therefore, writers should favor grammatically sound options to maintain credibility and professionalism.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "approving to"?

Consider using phrases such as "agreeing to", "consenting to", or "giving approval to" for better clarity.

How can I correctly use "approve" in a sentence?

Use "approve of" before a noun or gerund (e.g., "I approve of the plan"). Use "approve" directly before a noun (e.g., "I approve the budget"). Avoid "approving to".

Is there a difference between "approve of" and "approving to"?

Yes, "approve of" is the correct form. "Approving to" is not standard English. For example, say "I approve of your decision", not "I am approving to your decision".

When is it appropriate to use "approve"?

"Approve" is suitable when you want to express agreement, permission, or endorsement. Ensure you use the correct preposition ("of") when needed. Avoid incorrect phrases like "approving to".

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: