earning approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earning approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of gaining someone's acceptance or validation, often in a professional or social context. Example: "She worked hard on her presentation, hoping to earn approval from her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Brown: Many people think of perfectionism as striving to be your best, but it is not about self-improvement; it's about earning approval and acceptance.

Huffington Post

"Tuvix" was well received by fans and television critics, earning approval ratings between 75 80%; the Tuvix character and Janeway's forced separation of the same were particularly polarizing among the episode's audience and distinguishes the episode for the copious feedback it generated.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Clearly, hoodia has a long way to go before it can earn approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

The New York Times

He received check marks when he slid off his chair at dinner, and earned approval if he stayed seated.

The New York Times

He says, "I felt liberated... from my driven need to create another part, strut my stuff again, earn approval.

The Guardian - Books

The staging, by Bartlett Sher, was the busy, buzzy, slightly daffy one that has mostly earned approval since its 2006 debut.

The New York Times - Arts

McInnes had impressed at St Johnstone prior to Bristol City, and the 43 year-old from Paisley has earned approval from Aberdeen's greatest manager.

Independent

Carbon sequestration remains a controversial issue, however, and many environmental groups worry that it could allow coal plants to earn approval ahead of cleaner energy technologies.

MIT Technology Review

Last week, Marathon earned approval for deflazacort, a steroid that has long been available outside the U.S., to treat a devastating, fatal muscle deteriorating disease called Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Washington Post

Hillary Clinton consistently earned approval ratings in the mid- to high 60s when she served as secretary of state, higher than Barack Obama or Joe Biden during those years.

The Washington Post

"Anybody who likes the show for its attention to detail will get that from the dolls," he added, which earned approval from him; Janie Bryant, the costume designer for "Mad Men"; and Scott Hornbacher, an executive producer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earning approval" to emphasize that acceptance or validation is actively gained through effort or achievement. For example, instead of saying "He received approval", say "He dedicated extra hours to the project, ultimately earning approval from his manager".

Common error

Avoid using "earning approval" when passive acceptance is implied. If someone is given approval without demonstrable effort, use "receiving approval" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earning approval" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, describing the act of gaining acceptance or validation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it used in contexts where effort leads to positive recognition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earning approval" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes actively gaining acceptance or validation through effort or achievement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and professional settings. While often used in neutral registers, the phrase can lean into the professional domain when associated with business and formal recognitions. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "gaining acceptance" or "winning favor" to add nuance, but remember that "earning approval" specifically emphasizes the active effort involved. Steer clear of using it to refer to passive acceptances, use instead "receiving approval".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining acceptance

Focuses on the broader concept of being accepted, not necessarily through specific actions.

winning favor

Implies a more deliberate effort to impress or please someone.

obtaining endorsement

Highlights the formal support or recommendation received.

securing validation

Emphasizes the act of having one's efforts or ideas confirmed as valuable.

meriting recognition

Suggests that the approval is well-deserved due to the quality of the work.

receiving commendation

Indicates a formal expression of praise or approval.

garnering respect

Focuses on gaining respect, which is a form of approval based on admiration and esteem.

achieving accreditation

Specific to formal recognition of meeting certain standards or criteria.

cultivating support

Suggests a gradual process of building approval over time.

attracting admiration

Highlights the positive feelings drawn to oneself or one's work.

FAQs

How can I use "earning approval" in a sentence?

You can use "earning approval" to describe a situation where someone's actions lead to them being accepted or validated, such as, "The project's success led to him "earning approval" from the board".

What are some alternatives to "earning approval"?

Some alternatives to "earning approval" include "gaining acceptance", "winning favor", or "securing validation" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "earning approval" or "receiving approval"?

"Earning approval" implies active effort leading to acceptance, while "receiving approval" suggests a more passive acceptance. Choose the phrase that best fits the situation you are describing.

What's the difference between "earning approval" and "achieving accreditation"?

"Earning approval" is a general term for gaining acceptance. "Achieving accreditation" is a specific form of earning approval that relates to meeting defined standards, especially used in organizations or professions.