to approve of

USAGE SUMMARY

"to approve of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing approval or agreement with something or someone. For example: I fully approve of these changes to the company's policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I want them to approve of you.

The New Yorker

Investors also seemed to approve of the transaction: Goldman's shares rose $8.06, to $132.31.

The New York Times

The President said he would do this & seemed to approve of Morris's campaign.

The New Yorker

Thomas, who once promoted Marbury as a franchise savior, seemed to approve of the overseas move.

The New York Times - Sports

Interestingly, those smoking from plain packs were more likely to approve of plain packaging than those smoking from branded packs.

BMJ Open

We tend to approve of competitive tendering.

The Guardian - Business

She seems to approve of Hall.

The Guardian

Bogotanos seem to approve of the principle.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Shareholders of both companies thus far appear to approve of the move.

The New York Times

But Wall Street appears to approve of this move by the Battle Creek, Mich.

Forbes

The BBC seemed not to approve of too close a partnership between producer and presenter.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to approve of", ensure the object of your approval is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "I approve of it", specify "I approve of the new policy".

Common error

Avoid using "approve of" when a direct approval verb like "authorize", "ratify", or "endorse" would be more precise. "Approve of" often suggests general agreement rather than formal authorization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to approve of" functions as a verb phrase expressing agreement, endorsement, or positive regard. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct way to show support. Examples show it used when people, actions, or plans are viewed favorably.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to approve of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey agreement or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As demonstrated by numerous examples, it's widely utilized in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When aiming for clarity in writing, ensure the object of your approval is clearly defined and avoid using "approve of" when a more direct verb could be employed. Remember, effective communication hinges on choosing the most precise expression to reflect your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in favor of

A more verbose way of expressing support or agreement.

to support

A more general term indicating agreement or approval.

to endorse

Emphasizes public support or backing.

to favor

Suggests a preference for something over other options.

to be amenable to

Indicates willingness to accept or consider something.

to sanction

Implies official permission or authorization.

to take kindly to

Emphasizes a positive or favorable reaction.

to ratify

Signifies formal confirmation or validation.

to give the nod to

An informal way of saying to give approval.

to acquiesce to

Suggests reluctant acceptance without explicit approval.

FAQs

How do I use "to approve of" in a sentence?

Use "to approve of" to express agreement or endorsement. For example: "The board seemed "to approve of" the proposed merger."

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

You can use alternatives like "to endorse", "to support", or "to favor" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "approve" or "approve of"?

"Approve" is generally used when you directly authorize something, while "approve of" implies a more general agreement or endorsement. For instance, you "approve" a budget, but you "approve of" someone's actions.

What's the difference between "to condone" and "to approve of"?

"To condone" implies overlooking or accepting something that might be wrong, while "to approve of" suggests positive endorsement. Condoning something is often passive, whereas approving is active.