did not approve

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not approve" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express that someone does not agree or consent to something. For example: The government did not approve of the new regulations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sheffield did not approve.

The New York Times - Sports

Her family did not approve.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Fortabat did not approve.

The New York Times

Some did not approve.

The New York Times

Dyson did not approve.

The Guardian - Business

James Brown did not approve.

The New Yorker

The N.B.A. did not approve the move.

The New York Times

There was something he did not approve.

The New Yorker

Ariès did not approve of this development.

The New Yorker

My mother did not approve.

The Guardian

Mr. Bloomberg's new neighbors did not approve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not approve", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was being disapproved of to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The committee did not approve the proposed changes."

Common error

Avoid using "did not approve" in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "rejected" or "declined to endorse" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not approve" functions as a negative transitive verb phrase. It expresses a lack of agreement, endorsement, or acceptance. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as a valid and commonly used phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not approve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey disagreement or rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. While versatile, its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, with science and encyclopedias also demonstrating common use. For formal writing, consider substituting synonyms like "rejected" or "declined to endorse" to maintain a professional tone. Remember to clarify the subject of disapproval for clarity and prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disapproved of

Direct synonym, focuses on the act of disagreeing with something.

rejected

Implies a more formal refusal or dismissal.

objected to

Highlights the act of raising an objection or expressing opposition.

opposed

Indicates active resistance or antagonism.

were against

A simpler, more direct way of expressing opposition.

did not support

Implies a lack of endorsement or backing.

took exception to

Indicates a strong disagreement, often with a sense of offense.

declined to endorse

Highlights a refusal to officially support something.

vetoed

Implies a formal rejection, often by someone in authority.

turned down

A more casual way of saying rejected or refused.

FAQs

How can I use "did not approve" in a sentence?

Use "did not approve" to indicate disagreement or rejection. For example: "The board "did not approve" the budget proposal."

What are some alternatives to "did not approve"?

You can use alternatives like "disapproved of", "rejected", or "objected to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "did not approve" or "disapproved of"?

"Did not approve" and "disapproved of" are largely interchangeable, but "disapproved of" can sometimes sound more formal or focused on the act of disagreeing.

What's the difference between "did not approve" and "did not support"?

"Did not approve" suggests a direct rejection or disagreement, while "did not support" implies a lack of endorsement or backing, which could be for reasons other than active disapproval.