assent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "assent" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to agree to or approve something. An example sentence might be: "The board members gave their assent to the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is 10 years to the day since the bill to ban foxhunting in England and Wales received the royal assent.

The Guardian

Changes to the Computer Misuse Act were introduced by the Serious Crime Act 2015 which received royal assent on 3 March 2015.

The Guardian

If all goes as planned, the new conflict minerals law will gather visibility at the EU-Africa summit next month, gain legislative assent in September, and begin operating in 2015.

The Guardian

The Academies Act sped up the conversion of schools' status, and Gove rushed it through to royal assent by July 2010.

The Guardian

The crowd bellows its assent at every line.

The Guardian

He wrote to Buckingham Palace setting out his idea, seeking royal assent to one of two options.

The Guardian - Film

If this is indeed the UUP-DUP strategy, and if the Tories are in any way giving assent or even turning a blind eye to this chicanery, it will only increase fears among all nationalists that once again the "orange card", played since the days of Bonar Law and Edward Carson, has come into play once more.

The Guardian

Even referendum day was imbued with historical significance, taking place exactly 100 years after the ill-fated Government of Ireland Act had received royal assent on 18 September 1914, the British state's final attempt to appease Ireland on the eve of the first world war.

The Guardian

But Afghanistan cannot go for long without politicians who command wide assent.

The Economist

Today's version requires the assent of three-fifths of all senators, in other words 60 out of the 100.It may sound arcane, but Rule XXII has big consequences.

The Economist

And those who follow, let alone partake in, these negotiations, endlessly locked in an attempt to produce climate agreements which command assent, or at least acquiescence, from every single country here, are used to dealing with absurdities which follow more or less logically.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assent" when you want to convey a formal or official agreement. It's particularly useful in legal, political, or business contexts where the act of agreeing carries weight.

Common error

Avoid confusing "assent", which means agreement, with "ascent", which means the act of rising or climbing. Always double-check your spelling to ensure you're using the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The word "assent" functions primarily as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it represents the act of agreeing or giving approval. As a verb, it means to express agreement or to give one's approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correctly and widely used in formal English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that conveys agreement or approval, predominantly in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s generally deemed correct in formal English. It's most commonly found in news and media, formal business documents, and scientific publications. When aiming for a more casual tone, alternatives such as "agree" or "okay" may be more appropriate. Be mindful not to confuse "assent" with "ascent". Understanding its correct usage ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give consent

Focuses on granting permission or agreement.

express agreement

Highlights the act of verbally or non-verbally indicating agreement.

grant approval

Emphasizes the act of officially approving something.

sign off on

An informal way to indicate approval, often in a business context.

concur with

Suggests agreement in opinion or judgment.

accede to

Implies reluctant agreement or yielding to pressure.

acquiesce in

Suggests passive acceptance without protest.

give the nod

An informal way to indicate approval or permission.

endorse the idea

Specifically refers to supporting or approving an idea or proposal.

ratify the decision

Emphasizes the official confirmation or validation of a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "assent" in a sentence?

You can use "assent" as a verb, meaning to agree, or as a noun, meaning agreement. For example: "The board members gave their "assent" to the proposal." or "He "assented to" the terms of the contract."

What's the difference between "assent" and "consent"?

"Assent" and "consent" are similar, but "assent" often implies a more formal or official agreement. While "consent" can be used in everyday situations, "assent" is often used in legal or political contexts.

What can I say instead of "assent"?

You can use alternatives like "agreement", "approval", ""consent"", or "acquiescence" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "assent" commonly used in everyday conversation?

"Assent" is more common in formal writing and speech than in casual conversation. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to use words like "agree" or "okay".