do not approve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not approve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disapproval or rejection of something, such as a proposal, idea, or action. Example: "After reviewing the budget proposal, I must inform you that I do not approve of the suggested expenditures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I do not approve.

The New York Times - Books

"They do not approve of my art.

The New York Times

The officials do not approve of this attitude.

The New Yorker

— — I do not approve of the so-called hippies, but I do not approve of any government control over drugs.

The New Yorker

First of all, the families do not approve.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Talleys do not approve of Matt, who is Jewish.

The New York Times

"We do not approve of their support of terrorist activities.

The New York Times

Her grandparents do not approve of Chris or their marriage.

The New Yorker

"I do not approve of the current foreign policy.

The Guardian

Naturists, fearing a strong reaction, do not approve either.

The New York Times

If shareholders do not approve of the pill, it will automatically terminate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing disagreement, follow "I do not approve" with a clear explanation of the reasons for your disapproval. This makes your position more constructive and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple negative statements. Instead of saying "I do not approve of not considering other options", rephrase it to "I prefer considering all options".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not approve" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing disagreement or rejection. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correctly used in various contexts to convey a negative opinion or lack of endorsement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not approve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying disagreement or rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. When using this phrase, clarity and explanation are crucial for constructive communication. Alternative expressions like "disapprove of" or "object to" can be employed to fine-tune the tone and formality. Avoiding overuse of negative constructions enhances the overall effectiveness of your writing. Ultimately, "do not approve" serves as a direct way to communicate a lack of support, making it essential to provide context and reasoning for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disapprove of

This is a direct synonym, replacing the explicit "do not" with the prefix 'dis-' to indicate negation.

reject

This term indicates a firm refusal or unwillingness to accept something.

object to

Expresses opposition or disagreement with something, often formally.

decline to endorse

Indicates a refusal to officially support or approve something.

cannot support

Suggests an inability to provide backing or approval, often due to moral or ethical reasons.

am against

A straightforward expression of being in opposition to something.

take exception to

Shows a strong disagreement or resentment towards something.

find unacceptable

Indicates that something is not within the limits of what one can tolerate or approve.

do not condone

Implies a refusal to excuse or overlook something, often an action or behavior.

am not in favor of

Expresses a lack of support or preference for something.

FAQs

What's a formal way to say "do not approve"?

In formal contexts, you can replace "do not approve" with phrases like "decline to endorse" or "cannot support" to convey a more professional tone.

How can I soften the expression "do not approve" in a sentence?

To express mild disapproval, consider using phrases like "object to" or "am not in favor of". These soften the rejection while still expressing disagreement.

Which is correct, "do not approve of" or "do not approve"?

Both "do not approve" and "do not approve of" are grammatically correct, but "do not approve of" requires an object. For example, "I do not approve of this plan."

What's the difference between "do not approve" and "do not condone"?

"Do not approve" means you disagree with something, while "do not condone" means you do not excuse or overlook something, especially morally wrong behavior. Condoning implies allowing something to continue, while disapproving expresses simple disagreement.