tacit approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"tacit approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when someone agrees with an idea or action without explicitly stating it. For example, "Although she never expressed her opinion, her silence seemed to indicate tacit approval of my plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It gives tacit approval.

Independent

Theaters were vandalized with the tacit approval of authorities.

The New York Times

President Kennedy had given his tacit approval to Diem's removal.

The New York Times

They occurred with at least tacit approval from American officials.

The New York Times

Failure to act will be interpreted as tacit approval.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This stance has now gained tacit approval from the commission.

The Guardian

Does not this silence amount to tacit approval?

The New York Times

Which is understood by all as tacit approval.

The Washington Post

Stop it!" you give tacit approval to continue.

University of California, Berkeley

But Pakistani officials wanted him dead, and the American drone program rested on their tacit approval.

The New York Times

A subsequent review of the transcript would show his tacit approval.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tacit approval", ensure the context clearly indicates that agreement or permission is inferred through silence or inaction, rather than explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "tacit approval" when there is clear, demonstrable evidence of explicit agreement. The phrase implies a lack of direct communication, so ensure this aligns with the situation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tacit approval" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It signifies an indirect form of agreement or endorsement, where consent is implied rather than explicitly stated. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tacit approval" is a noun phrase denoting agreement or endorsement inferred from silence or inaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedia contexts. While alternatives like "implied consent" and "silent agreement" exist, it's important to use "tacit approval" when the agreement is genuinely implied rather than explicitly stated. Be aware that misunderstanding is possible: ensure the context unambiguously demonstrates that consent exists without direct communication. This phrase provides a nuanced way to express consent that isn't outwardly expressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tacit consent

Similar to "tacit approval" but emphasizes the element of permission or agreement.

implied consent

Focuses on the consent aspect, suggesting permission is granted indirectly.

silent agreement

Highlights the agreement aspect, emphasizing that the assent is not vocalized.

unspoken endorsement

Emphasizes the support aspect, conveying approval that is not explicitly stated.

unexpressed agreement

Focuses on the agreement aspect, emphasizing that the assent is not expressed directly.

implicit sanction

Focuses on the sanction aspect, suggesting the action is permitted although not expressly authorized.

understood acceptance

Highlights that acceptance is mutually understood without needing explicit confirmation.

unstated permission

Focuses on the permission aspect and conveys that permission is granted but not openly communicated.

veiled endorsement

Conveys that the endorsement is somewhat hidden or disguised.

quiet acquiescence

Indicates a passive acceptance or agreement, often without enthusiasm.

FAQs

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

You can use "tacit approval" to describe situations where agreement or acceptance is implied through silence or inaction, such as, "The project proceeded with the manager's "tacit approval", despite no formal sign-off".

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

"Tacit approval" implies agreement conveyed indirectly through silence or lack of opposition, whereas "explicit approval" involves direct, clear communication of agreement or permission.

What can I say instead of "tacit approval"?

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

Is "tacit approval" a formal or informal expression?

"Tacit approval" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often seen in news, academic, and professional settings where nuanced interpretations of agreement are important.