does not approve of

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not approve of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express disapproval of something. For example: "John does not approve of smoking cigarettes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mazie does not approve of such antics.

The New Yorker

Mr. Sells's father does not approve of their relationship.

The New York Times

It blocks iPhone applications it does not approve of from appearing in the App Store.

The Economist

The writer agrees but does not approve of some of her practices.

The New Yorker

Mr. W. does not approve of roadbuilders being in charge of the parks.

The New Yorker

Bell's father does not approve of this man and the liaison does not end well.

The Guardian - Film

We condemn these attacks as human beings, and Islam does not approve of what took place.

The New York Times

The Vatican, which does not approve of artificial fertilization, views any destruction of embryos as sinful.

The New York Times

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not approve of the conduct described in your article.

The New York Times

This column does not approve of sport, either in the spectator or observer sense.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He believes in work, has never known any hours, does not approve of today's trend to more leisure.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym like "disapproves of" or "objects to" for variety and nuance.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "of" after "approve". Saying "does not approve something" is grammatically incorrect; always use "does not approve of something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not approve of" functions as a verb phrase expressing disapproval or disagreement. It indicates that a subject does not support or endorse something. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not approve of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express disapproval or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in written English. Its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While synonyms like "disapproves of" or "objects to" can add nuance, it's essential to maintain grammatical correctness by always including the preposition "of". Avoiding common errors and selecting appropriate alternatives will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disapproves of

Formal synonym, removing the auxiliary verb for a more concise expression.

is not in favor of

A slightly more formal and emphatic way of saying "does not approve of".

objects to

Indicates a stronger sense of opposition or resistance.

is against

A more direct and less formal way of expressing disapproval.

frowns upon

Suggests a mild but clear disapproval.

opposes

Expresses active resistance or disagreement.

is critical of

Expresses a negative evaluation or assessment.

takes exception to

Highlights a specific point of disagreement or annoyance.

rejects

Implies a firm refusal or denial.

condemns

Indicates strong disapproval, often in a moral or ethical context.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "does not approve of" in a formal context?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "is not in favor of", "objects to", or "disapproves of". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying disapproval.

What's a less formal way to say "does not approve of"?

For informal situations, you might say "is against", "dislikes", or simply "doesn't like", depending on the level of disapproval you want to express.

Is it grammatically correct to say "does not approve something" instead of "does not approve of something"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is "does not approve of something". The preposition "of" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "does not approve of" and "condemns"?

"Does not approve of" indicates a general disapproval, whereas "condemns" expresses a much stronger, often moral or ethical, disapproval. "Condemns" suggests a severe judgment against something.