they approve of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they approve of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone has given their consent or support for something. Example: "The committee reviewed the proposal, and they approve of the changes made to the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Obama's job approval remains below a majority, with 46 percent saying they approve of his performance in office, while 45 percent do not.

The New York Times

Do they approve of terrorism?

The Economist

Did they approve of this policy?

The New Yorker

Some donors say they approve of the openness.

The New York Times - Health

My opinion of the Supreme Court will diminish if they approve of it".

The New York Times

Advertising executives call people "Bobbleheads" if they approve of everything a boss says or does.

The New York Times

The latest poll has 40% saying they approve of his leadership, while 42% disapprove.

The Guardian

It is a magic wand that people wave over the practices they approve of.

The New Yorker

But in general the parents say they approve of the approach.

The New York Times

CHART: Percent of respondents saying they approve of the way the president is handling his job.

The New York Times

They approve of protest: in one poll this week 70% backed the strikes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they approve of" when you want to express general agreement or support for an idea, action, or person. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from informal discussions to more formal reports.

Common error

Avoid using "they approve of" in highly formal contexts where a more precise or stronger term like "they authorize" or "they ratify" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they approve of" functions as a verb phrase indicating agreement, support, or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing consent or validation within a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they approve of" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression indicating agreement, support, or endorsement by a group. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and frequent appearance across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, its suitability for highly formal contexts should be evaluated, with stronger synonyms considered where appropriate. This expression effectively conveys collective approval across various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they endorse

Uses a more formal verb to indicate support.

they support

A more general term for showing approval.

they agree with

Indicates alignment of opinion.

they are in favor of

Expresses a positive inclination towards something.

they are supportive of

Highlights the act of providing support.

they sanction

Implies formal approval or authorization.

they give their blessing to

Suggests a more ceremonial or significant approval.

they are amenable to

Indicates a willingness to accept or consider something.

they rubber-stamp

Implies approval without careful consideration.

they give the green light to

Suggests permission to proceed with something.

FAQs

What does "they approve of" mean?

The phrase "they approve of" means that a group of people agree with something, support it, or give their consent to it.

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

You can use alternatives like "they endorse", "they support", or "they agree with" depending on the context.

Is "they approve of" formal or informal?

"They approve of" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain situations.

How to use "they approve of" in a sentence?

You can use "they approve of" to indicate agreement or endorsement, such as "The board reviewed the proposal, and "they approve of" the new marketing strategy".