disapproving of

USAGE SUMMARY

"disapproving of" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
Example: "The teacher gave a stern look, disapproving of the student's behavior in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

disapproving of the administration's Formosa Strait policy.

The New Yorker

Voters have a darker view of Congressional Republicans than of Democrats, with 63 percent disapproving of Democrats and 73 percent disapproving of Republicans.

The New York Times

Only a handful could be considered shocked or disapproving of the practice.

The New York Times

I couldn't tell if he was responding to my question or just disapproving of it.

The New Yorker

She sounded a bit disapproving of the queen's horses running off to the beach.

The New York Times

Most feminist leaders have been uneasy if not disapproving of America's invasion of Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Several scandals in the 1920s had left parts of the public disapproving of Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

Critics get paid regularly for disapproving of other people's greed, taste, judgment and skill.

The New York Times - Arts

Is Etsuko retrospectively disapproving of another mother or is she regretting her own failings?

The Guardian - Books

I was very disapproving of students going into the City, laundering other people's money".

The Guardian

She reads it with great attention, perhaps disapproving of Manon's capricious cruelty.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disapproving of", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being disapproved. Specificity enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

While "disapproving of" is widely understood, avoid relying on it excessively in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "critical of" or "opposed to" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disapproving of" functions as a subject complement when used with a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'seems') to describe a subject's feeling of disapproval. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns (e.g., 'measures disapproving of the president's actions').

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disapproving of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disagreement or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "critical of" in certain settings. Be specific about what's being disapproved to ensure clarity. Ludwig's examples showcase diverse usages, reinforcing its practicality and breadth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical of

Focuses on expressing criticism, highlighting flaws or shortcomings.

against

Suggests a stronger opposition or disagreement.

opposed to

Emphasizes a formal stance of disagreement.

unsupportive of

Indicates a lack of endorsement or encouragement.

frowning upon

Implies a visible expression of disapproval.

taking a dim view of

Expresses a negative opinion or assessment.

not in favor of

Indicates a lack of support for a particular idea or action.

objecting to

Focuses on raising objections or concerns.

raising concerns about

Highlights specific worries or issues regarding something.

expressing reservations about

Suggests a cautious or hesitant agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "disapproving of" in a sentence?

You can use "disapproving of" to indicate disagreement or disapproval towards something. For example: "The teacher was disapproving of the student's behavior."

What are some alternatives to "disapproving of"?

Alternatives include "critical of", "against", or "opposed to", depending on the context and the degree of disapproval.

Is it better to say "disapproving of" or "disapproving with"?

"Disapproving of" is the correct and standard construction. "Disapproving with" is not grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "disapproving of" and "condemning"?

"Disapproving of" suggests a milder form of disagreement, while "condemning" implies a stronger, often moral, rejection of something.