by approving

USAGE SUMMARY

"by approving" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used when referring to an act of approving something. For example: "The government showed its commitment to the project by approving additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Otherwise, they warn, Congress may retaliate by approving a big-spending constitutional amendment.

The Economist

Those critics say Europe has acted more in patients' interests by approving medical advances faster.

The New York Times

He admitted, however, that his organisation had made a mistake by approving the deal.

The Guardian

The Senate decides to protect women's rights by approving the National Defense Authorization Act.

The New York Times

He is accused of violating several securities laws and defrauding investors by approving faulty financial statements.

The New York Times

Now the Corps is taking our clean water and sacred places by approving this river crossing.

The Guardian

The judge reminded Mr. Berenholtz of the service he had performed by approving the fee.

The New York Times

They can start by approving money to acquire and refit the Illinois prison.

The New York Times

The site detailed how shareholders could help "save" the studio by approving his deal, which eventually failed.

The New York Times

Last year, Mr. Cuomo made stagnation worse by approving redistricting maps that gave incumbents an even stronger grip.

The New York Times

He offended his leftist allies by approving a multi-billion dollar chemical project involving BASF, a German firm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by approving", ensure the subject performing the action and the object being approved are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "by approving" implies full endorsement. It may simply indicate procedural agreement rather than complete support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by approving" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the means or method through which an action is accomplished. It modifies a verb, specifying how something is achieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by approving" serves as a prepositional phrase that elucidates the method or means by which an action is enabled. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability make it a versatile tool in various writing contexts. Predominantly found in news, science, and formal business communications, it maintains a neutral to formal register. While the phrase is generally straightforward, it's vital to clarify the actor and object involved in the approval to ensure clarity. When seeking alternatives, consider nuances such as "through approval" or "via endorsement" to precisely convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by giving consent

Focuses on the act of agreeing or permitting.

through approval

Emphasizes the process or means of approval.

with authorization

Stresses the official permission granted.

via endorsement

Highlights the formal support or backing of something.

following agreement

Emphasizes the sequence of events after an agreement is made.

through the act of approval

It is a more verbose and formal rephrasing of the original query.

upon ratification

Indicates a formal validation or confirmation.

in sanctioning

Highlights the official permission or approval.

in validating

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy or accuracy of something.

by giving the green light

An idiomatic expression indicating permission to proceed.

FAQs

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

You can use "by approving" to show how a decision or action is enabled or permitted. For example, "The project moved forward "by approving" the budget".

What are some alternatives to using "by approving"?

Alternatives include "through endorsement", "via authorization", or "by giving consent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "approving by" instead of "by approving"?

While grammatically possible in some constructions, "approving by" is less common and can sound awkward. "By approving" is generally the preferred and more natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "by approving" and "after approving"?

"By approving" indicates the action of approving is the means by which something happens, while "after approving" indicates a sequence of events where something happens subsequent to the approval.