implicit approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"implicit approval" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when a person or group is deemed to have given approval despite not directly expressing it. For example: By not speaking up against the decision, the other members of the board were seen to be giving implicit approval to the chairperson's plan.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Inviting such countries "provides implicit approval of their actions", it says.

The Guardian

Silence in the face of such injustice could be wrongly interpreted as implicit approval.

The Guardian - Sport

Coke, of course, wanted to showcase its products and imprint a brand preference on young minds, with educators' implicit approval.

The New York Times

Ms. Watkins responded, saying that "Mr. Fastow wouldn't have put his hands in the Enron cookie jar" without at least Mr. Skilling's implicit approval.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, we have never had implicit approval of the court's jurisdiction from some of the regions where we need it the most.

The New York Times

The warehouse manager had apparently been stealing the equivalent of five cars a night for years, "with the implicit approval of GM's partner".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

(Ta-Nehisi Ta-Nehisi Coatesle Bouie hand pointed out that horrors precisely congruent to those carried out by ISIS were pursued by lynch mobs in the American South with implicit evangelical approval, and at times active endorsement, in our own recent history).

The New Yorker

With his investment, Mr. Buffett gave G.E. his implicit stamp of approval.

The New York Times

The film's nomination as Saudi Arabia's Oscar contender is an implicit nod of approval from the country's mainstream.

The Guardian - Film

The result is an implicit and worrisome approval of Mr. Mayer's quick fix, as if it were enough.

The New York Times - Arts

What started out 40 years ago as a common-sense, informative alternative to censorship has turned into a maze of mystifications and technicalities, wherein perfectly wholesome dramas are stigmatized while violent, sadistic trash merits an implicit seal of approval.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicit approval" when you want to convey that support or agreement is understood or suggested without being openly expressed. This can be particularly useful in situations where explicit confirmation is absent or difficult to obtain.

Common error

Avoid using "implicit approval" when you mean explicit approval. "Implicit" means suggested or understood, while "explicit" means clearly stated. Ensure that the context accurately reflects the level of directness in the approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implicit approval" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a situation where approval is not directly expressed but is understood or inferred from actions, inactions, or circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "implicit approval" describes a scenario where agreement or support is understood without being explicitly stated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it commonly appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. Its function is to convey tacit endorsement, often inferred from actions or a lack of opposition. While grammatically sound, it's important to distinguish it from "explicit approval", which denotes direct and overt agreement. Utilizing related phrases like "tacit consent" or "unspoken endorsement" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tacit consent

Focuses on agreement that is understood without being directly stated.

implied consent

Highlights the agreement inferred from actions rather than explicit statements.

unspoken endorsement

Emphasizes the support given without verbal communication.

indirect endorsement

Suggests support that is not openly declared.

silent acquiescence

Conveys acceptance through silence or lack of objection.

unstated agreement

Focuses on the understanding reached without explicit terms.

underlying approval

Emphasizes approval that may not be immediately visible but is present.

assumed endorsement

Points to support inferred from the circumstances.

inferred validation

Highlights validation that is deduced rather than directly communicated.

presumed consent

Suggests consent that is taken for granted based on the situation.

FAQs

How to use "implicit approval" in a sentence?

You can use "implicit approval" to describe situations where an action or decision is supported without direct confirmation. For example: "The board's silence was interpreted as "implicit approval" of the CEO's strategy".

What can I say instead of "implicit approval"?

You can use alternatives like "tacit consent", "implied consent", or "unspoken endorsement" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "implicit approval" and "explicit approval"?

"Implicit approval" refers to approval that is suggested or understood without being directly stated, while "explicit approval" is approval that is clearly and openly expressed.

Is "implicit approval" the same as "silent acquiescence"?

While related, "implicit approval" suggests more of an endorsement, while "silent acquiescence" implies acceptance or compliance without necessarily indicating support.