assented to

USAGE SUMMARY

"assented to" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express consent or agreement to something. For example, "After careful consideration, the board of directors assented to the proposed plan of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No French president has ever assented to the federalist plot.

The Guardian - Business

Somewhere back in the sun, I assented to enter this nightmare.

The New York Times - Magazine

I simply assented to the faith that had long been latent within me.

The New York Times

Women in former eras were downtrodden and frequently assented to it.

The New York Times - Books

Amy, who had assented to the wedding mainly out of guilt, regrets the marriage.

The New Yorker

The Montenegrin government reluctantly assented to the union on condition that yesterday's referendum would be held.

The Guardian

A life of intense publicity is typically one that the Presidential spouse assented to but did not seek out.

The New Yorker

As candidate, he assented to a tightening of Brazil's fiscal policy, as a condition of the IMF's loan.

The Economist

Several concession areas were returned to Chinese control, and the foreign powers assented to China's resumption of tariff autonomy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since all we had was the address, he assented to my suggestion that we take a cab.

The New Yorker

I long ago assented to DeLillo's unspoken premise — that fiction exaggerates the ever-weakening power of motive in human dealings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assented to" when you want to convey a formal or official agreement, particularly in legal, academic, or governmental contexts. It adds a sense of authority and finality to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "assented to" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or unnatural in such contexts. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "agreed to" or "accepted."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assented to" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating agreement or consent. It typically follows a noun or pronoun representing the entity giving consent, as seen in the Ludwig examples where various individuals or groups "assented to" proposals, requests, or decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assented to" is a formal way to express agreement or consent, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and frequently encountered in various writing contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While "assented to" is versatile, remember that it is best suited for formal or official settings. For less formal situations, simpler alternatives like "agreed to" or "approved" might be more appropriate. When writing, be sure to choose your words carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreed to

Replaces "assented" with a more common synonym, simplifying the language.

consented to

Offers a formal alternative, emphasizing permission or approval.

approved of

Highlights the act of giving approval, suitable when the focus is on endorsement.

accepted

Provides a simpler, more general term for agreement.

complied with

Emphasizes adherence to a rule or request, shifting the focus to obedience.

yielded to

Suggests a reluctant agreement, implying pressure or persuasion.

acquiesced to

Indicates passive agreement without active enthusiasm or resistance.

gave approval to

Expands the phrase to highlight the act of granting permission.

gave consent to

Similar to "gave approval to" but specifically emphasizes permission.

signed off on

Uses an idiomatic expression for approval, common in business contexts.

FAQs

What does "assented to" mean?

"Assented to" means to express approval or agreement, often in a formal or official context. It implies a considered decision to accept something.

How can I use "assented to" in a sentence?

You might say, "The committee "assented to" the proposed changes after a lengthy debate", indicating their formal agreement.

Are there synonyms for "assented to" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "agreed to", "consented to", or "approved of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "assented to" and "agreed to"?

"Assented to" is more formal and often implies official or legal agreement, while "agreed to" is a more general term for expressing accord or consensus.