generally approve of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally approve of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a general consensus or acceptance of an idea, action, or proposal. Example: "Most committee members generally approve of the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But people generally approve of the Pendolino trains he brought in to run on the line.

The Guardian

The food people were likeliest to ask about was also one nutritionists generally approve of: sushi.

The New York Times

But while most other Americans generally approve of his performance as president, polls find his personal appeal among them low.

The New York Times

Not only is the practice widespread, but participants generally approve of it.5 Why is plea bargaining at once so widely condemned and so widely tolerated?

Columbia University

Although nutritionists generally approve of diet foods, they have one crucial drawback people tend to gobble up extra helpings of anything labelled "low fat".Weight-loss clinics and clubs are generally in the doldrums.

The Economist

Let's start with the "yes, but" folks: those glad to see the rebels victorious and generally approve of Obama's strategy, but don't like calling this anything other than a one-off victory.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

conservative and generally approving of the Nixon Administration.

The New York Times

West side residents generally approved of closing the McCormick Hall and MacGregor House dining halls.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Polls show that most of the public generally believes that Mr. Clinton committed adultery in the White House but generally approves of his job performance more strongly that ever.

The New York Times

The Canadian public generally approved of the act, but few convictions followed, except of those accused of the murder of Laporte.

Britannica

They generally approved of Mr. Trump's judicial choices, and they were particularly enthusiastic about his two appointees to the Supreme Court, Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about survey results or opinions, "generally approve of" can accurately reflect that a majority, but not all, respondents hold a favorable view.

Common error

Avoid using "generally approve of" when describing a situation where approval is nearly unanimous. In such cases, stronger phrases like "overwhelmingly endorse" or "universally accept" may be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally approve of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of acceptance or agreement towards something. It signifies a consensus or majority viewpoint, implying that most people or entities involved are in favor, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally approve of" is a versatile phrase used to convey a widespread, though not unanimous, agreement or acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. The phrase indicates that most people or entities support a particular idea, action, or policy. When writing, use "generally approve of" to accurately reflect a majority viewpoint and avoid overstating the degree of approval. Alternatives such as "broadly support" or "largely agree with" can be used to express similar sentiments with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in favor of

Directly expresses being on the side of or supporting something.

largely agree with

Emphasizes agreement while acknowledging potential minor disagreements.

broadly support

Focuses on providing backing or assistance, implying less explicit agreement.

view with approval

Highlights the act of observing something and finding it satisfactory.

mostly endorse

Highlights official support or recommendation, often in a formal setting.

look upon favorably

Suggests a positive view or assessment, implying a more evaluative perspective.

tend to favor

Suggests a preference or leaning towards something, rather than outright approval.

take a positive view of

Emphasizes considering something from a beneficial perspective.

lean towards

Indicates an inclination or preference, implying a less decisive approval.

are sympathetic to

Highlights understanding and compassion, suggesting approval based on empathy.

FAQs

How can I use "generally approve of" in a sentence?

You can use "generally approve of" to express that a group of people mostly agrees with something. For example, "The board members generally approve of the proposed budget."

What can I say instead of "generally approve of"?

You can use alternatives like "broadly support", "largely agree with", or "are in favor of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "generally approve to" instead of "generally approve of"?

No, the correct usage is "generally approve of". The preposition "of" is essential for this phrase to be grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "generally approve of" and "strongly support"?

"Generally approve of" suggests a milder form of agreement, while "strongly support" indicates a more enthusiastic and active endorsement. "Generally approve of" implies a broad consensus, while "strongly support" suggests a committed advocacy.