they may approve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they may approve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of someone or a group giving their approval or consent to something. Example: "The committee has reviewed the proposal, and they may approve it during the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

They may approve of his Libyan war 66% backed it at the start but they still do not approve of him.

The Economist

"They may approve of the outcome," he said, "but there's no reason they won't see a reason for the process to be improved.

The New York Times

Trustees may then overlook excessive fees or unusual portfolio turnover; they may approve unsuitable investments; or they may shrug off losses to avoid offending their donors.

The New York Times

When she gives talks in Kabul and the men in the audience nod their heads, she tells them that they may approve of giving women freedoms in principle, but that they do not do it for their own wives.

The New York Times

See Barkan, 567 at2d at 1287 ("When, however, the directors possess a body of reliable evidence with which to evaluate the fairness of a transaction, they may approve that transaction without conducting an active survey of the market".).

Harvard University

In the Senate, Democratic leaders say that they will wait for the House to make the first move and that they may approve an increase in the limit of less than the $750 billion sought by the White House.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

French voters may approve of Mr Sarkozy's wars, but they still disapprove of his policies at home and they also doubt his motives.

The Economist

Should that happen, regulatory authorities may approve pills faster than a gel, because they have already been found safe and effective for treatment.

The New York Times - Health

The question for the Supreme Court this time is whether courts may approve global class action settlements that include claims they would not have had jurisdiction to decide.

The New York Times

The CHD may approve exceptions.

Harvard University

The inquiry may approve the deal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they may approve", ensure the context clearly defines who "they" refers to and what is being approved. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "they may approve" in professional or academic contexts. Vary your phrasing with stronger, more definitive language when possible, such as "they authorize" or "they sanction", to project greater confidence and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they may approve" functions as a verb phrase expressing a possibility or likelihood of granting approval. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts. It is used to indicate that approval is not certain but remains a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they may approve" is a versatile expression used to indicate the possibility of approval from a specified group. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in neutral to formal contexts such as news, academic, and scientific publications. While useful for conveying uncertainty, it's advisable to vary your phrasing in formal writing to avoid repetition and enhance clarity. Alternatives like "they might consent to" or "they could authorize" can provide a more nuanced expression of potential approval. Overall, "they may approve" is a valuable tool for expressing possibilities in a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they might consent to

Indicates a potential agreement or permission, emphasizing willingness.

they could authorize

Suggests a possibility of granting official permission or power.

they might sanction

Implies a possible official approval, often in the context of rules or regulations.

they could give their assent

Emphasizes the act of formally agreeing or consenting.

they may give the green light

An idiomatic expression for granting permission to proceed.

they could ratify

Suggests a formal confirmation or validation of something.

it's possible they will endorse

Highlights the possibility of providing public support or approval.

they are likely to permit

Indicates a high probability of allowing something.

they might give their blessing

Implies bestowing approval, often with a connotation of support or favor.

it's conceivable they will validate

Suggests that it is possible they will confirm or substantiate something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they may approve" indicates a possibility of approval. For example, "The committee is reviewing the proposal; "they may approve" it next week".

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

You can use alternatives like "they might consent to", "they could authorize", or "they might sanction" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they may approve" or "they might approve"?

Both "they may approve" and "they might approve" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the nuance you wish to express.

What's the difference between "they may approve" and "they will approve"?

"They may approve" indicates a possibility or uncertainty about the approval, while "they will approve" suggests a higher degree of certainty or a planned action.