general approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"general approval" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the shared acceptance or agreement of a certain idea, item, or situation by the majority of people. For example, "The proposal for the new policy was met with general approval from the board members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there was general approval.

The Economist

His first reaction was general approval.

The New York Times - Food

"Prada," she added, to general approval.

The New York Times

Phrase used to express a sense of general approval.

The New Yorker

Rose calls retail ana lysts, to general approval.

The Guardian - Business

This unusual course of action meets with general approval.

The New Yorker

That meets general approval from the Russian-speakers present.

The Economist

He promised even tougher security measures.This meets with general approval.

The Economist

Phrase used to express a sense of general approval, despite a perceived slight.

The New Yorker

A recent NBC poll shows he had the general approval of only 46% of the electorate.

The New Yorker

At least one veteran declared himself a conscientious objector to the general approval of the play.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "general approval" with specific actions or policies. Instead of simply stating something received "general approval", specify what aspects were approved to give more clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "general approval" if only a small group or a specific faction shows agreement. Be sure that there is widespread agreement before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general approval" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "met with general approval") or the subject complement. It describes a state of agreement or endorsement by a majority, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general approval" is a noun phrase used to denote widespread agreement or support. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, it is crucial to ensure actual widespread support before using it to avoid overgeneralization. Related phrases include "widespread support" and "broad acceptance". By understanding its function and usage, writers can effectively convey the degree of agreement in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread support

Focuses on the breadth of the approval, implying a large number of people agree.

broad acceptance

Emphasizes the act of accepting something by a large group.

collective agreement

Highlights the unified decision-making process and shared consensus.

popular assent

Suggests the approval is coming from the general public or populace.

universal endorsement

Implies nearly everyone is in agreement.

overall affirmation

Focuses on a positive declaration or confirmation by most people.

common consent

Highlights the shared permission or agreement among a group.

public sanction

Emphasizes an official approval, especially by the public.

mass acclaim

Focuses on enthusiastic and widespread praise.

majority approval

Indicates that more than half of a group approves.

FAQs

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

You can use "general approval" to describe widespread agreement or support for something, as in, "The new policy met with "general approval" from the employees."

What's the difference between "general approval" and "unanimous support"?

"General approval" suggests that most people agree, while "unanimous support" indicates that everyone agrees without exception.

What can I say instead of "general approval"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread support", "broad acceptance", or "collective agreement" depending on the context.

Is "general approval" a formal or informal phrase?

"General approval" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.