tacitly approve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tacitly approve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an indication of acceptance without the need for verbal agreement, often using body language, silence, or inaction to signify agreement. Example: By remaining silent during the meeting, the board members tacitly approved the proposal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It may be that European capitals tacitly approve of the U.S. move; perhaps they're deliberating over a coordinated response.

The Washington Post

To think that The New York Times would tacitly approve the practice by printing this anecdote is unconscionable.

The New York Times - Magazine

Opposition political parties and Pakistani military experts have said it is nearly impossible that the army did not at least tacitly approve of the smuggling.

The New York Times

The Shade Room works because the stars tacitly approve: It is not uncommon for celebrities themselves to chime in and interact with Angie's readers.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is, however, anathema to President Trump's base of support, both because of the way it was implemented and because it was perceived to tacitly approve of illegal immigration.

The Washington Post

Might it be revelatory that marketing and images like those above tacitly approve and encourage such harassment?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

L.B.J., by his silence, tacitly approves the plan.

The New Yorker

Perhaps officials tacitly approved of the demonstrations at first.

The Economist

As such, analysts say, top authorities have tacitly approved Bo's defiant performance.

The Guardian

"We would like to know if Pakistan consents or has tacitly approved the drone strikes.

The Washington Post

It's not clear whether the Chinese government tacitly approved those exports.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tacitly approve" when you want to emphasize that approval is given without explicit verbal confirmation. This is especially effective when highlighting unspoken agreements or accepted behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "tacitly approve" when the approval is clearly stated or formally documented. The phrase is best suited for situations where the approval is implied or understood rather than overtly expressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tacitly approve" functions as a verb phrase, where "tacitly" modifies the verb "approve". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes the manner in which approval is given – implicitly rather than explicitly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tacitly approve" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe approval given implicitly rather than explicitly. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for written English and indicates acceptance through inaction or unspoken agreement. While not overly common, its usage is primarily found in news and media sources. It's important to differentiate between tacit approval and explicit agreement, as the former implies a subtle form of endorsement. Remember to use "tacitly approve" when you want to emphasize that approval is understood without direct verbal confirmation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give silent consent

Directly replaces "approve" with "consent", maintaining a similar level of formality.

implicitly endorse

Focuses on the indirect nature of the support, emphasizing an endorsement rather than explicit approval.

give the nod

Uses an idiomatic expression for nonverbal approval, making it slightly more informal.

tacitly condone

Implies a silent acceptance of something morally questionable, adding a negative connotation.

countenance without saying so

A more formal way of indicating approval or permission without making it explicit.

passively accept

Highlights the lack of active opposition rather than active approval, suggesting resignation.

acquiesce without objection

Emphasizes compliance through silence and lack of resistance.

not object to

Focuses on the absence of disapproval rather than active agreement, a more neutral stance.

turn a blind eye to

Highlights the act of intentionally ignoring something, which can imply a form of acceptance or approval.

allow to proceed unchallenged

Emphasizes the lack of any active intervention, letting something happen by default.

FAQs

How do you use "tacitly approve" in a sentence?

You can use "tacitly approve" to describe situations where agreement or acceptance is communicated non-verbally or through inaction. For example: "The board members tacitly approved the decision by remaining silent".

What's the difference between "tacitly approve" and "explicitly approve"?

"Tacitly approve" means to give approval without direct verbal expression, often through silence or inaction. "Explicitly approve" means to give clear and direct approval, usually verbally or in writing.

What can I say instead of "tacitly approve"?

Alternatives include "implicitly endorse", "passively accept", or "give silent consent". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone "tacitly approves" of something?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "tacitly approve" is grammatically sound and commonly used to indicate approval that is understood or implied without being directly stated.