consent to

USAGE SUMMARY

'consent to' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used when someone asks permission to do something and the other person agrees. For example, "John asked his supervisor if he could work an extra day, and his supervisor consented to his request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who gives consent to whom?

The Economist

Did Zayn even consent to 'zaughty'zaughty

Independent

"No consent to the transfer is necessary".

The New York Times

"We would gladly consent to releasing them".

The New York Times

How could I consent to things?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Adults rarely consent to be photographed.

The Guardian

I did not consent to being raped".

The Guardian

"He might consent to a short-term agreement".

The New York Times

Obviously they have to consent to give them.

The Guardian - Sport

Allegedly, he needs no consent to grope them.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's why unions, he believed, ought to consent to efficiency.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consent to", ensure that the subject has the authority or ability to grant permission. For example, "The board must "consent to" the merger."

Common error

Avoid using the wrong preposition. "Consent" requires "to" when followed by a verb or noun phrase. Incorrect: "Consent for the procedure". Correct: "Consent "to" the procedure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consent to" functions as a verb phrase indicating agreement, approval, or permission for something to happen. It expresses the act of allowing or agreeing to a particular action, event, or proposal. Ludwig provides many examples of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consent to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate agreement, approval, or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific domains. Understanding the proper usage of "consent to", including avoiding preposition errors and ensuring the subject has the authority to grant permission, is crucial. Alternatives like "agree to" and "give permission for" offer similar meanings, while the specific choice depends on the context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree to

Focuses on the act of agreeing or accepting something.

give permission for

Emphasizes the act of granting permission for something to occur.

approve of

Highlights the endorsement or approval of an action or idea.

assent to

Suggests a formal agreement or acceptance.

permit

A more concise and direct way of granting allowance.

authorize

Implies granting official permission or power.

give the go-ahead for

An idiomatic expression indicating permission to proceed.

accede to

Signifies agreement, often reluctantly or under pressure.

sign off on

Suggests formal approval, often in a business or bureaucratic context.

countenance

To give support or approval, but less commonly used.

FAQs

How is "consent to" different from "agree to"?

"Consent to" often implies giving permission or formal agreement, while "agree to" is a more general term for acceptance. For example, one might "consent to" a medical procedure, but "agree to" a meeting time.

What are some alternatives to "consent to"?

You can use alternatives such as "agree to", "give permission for", or "approve of" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to get "consent to" something in writing?

While verbal consent can be valid, written consent provides a clear record. Legal and ethical guidelines often require written consent, especially in medical or research contexts.

What happens if someone cannot "consent to" a treatment?

If someone lacks the capacity to "consent to" treatment, a legal guardian or designated representative may provide consent on their behalf, following established legal and ethical protocols.