would approve of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would approve of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing someone's potential agreement or endorsement of an idea, action, or proposal. Example: "I believe my parents would approve of my decision to pursue a career in medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Dix would approve of the decadence.

The New York Times

"The churchwomen would approve of that fact".

The New York Times

George Osborne would approve of such prudence.

The Guardian

Many developed-world bank critics would approve of Nigeria's approach.

The New York Times

It is the awards ceremony Alan Partridge would approve of.

The Guardian - Music

Olphert believes that Blake would approve of the idea.

The New York Times - Sports

Phoebe Ephron, no doubt, would approve of that.

The Guardian - Film

I'm not sure your mothers would approve of me though.

The Guardian

He added, "I don't think feminists would approve of that.

The New Yorker

I know my Dad would approve of that.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm sure even the nuns would approve of that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would approve of", ensure the subject expressing approval is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "my parents would approve of" rather than leaving it implied.

Common error

Avoid using "would approve of" when direct approval has already been given. Use a simpler construction like "approved" or "endorsed" in such cases. If someone directly said "I approve of this", don't rephrase it as "they would approve of it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would approve of" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a hypothetical or conditional agreement or endorsement. It suggests that someone is likely to support or agree with something if they were in a position to do so. Ludwig provides many examples, showcasing diverse usages of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would approve of" is a versatile expression used to indicate hypothetical agreement or endorsement. Ludwig AI shows that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "would endorse" exist for more formal settings, "would approve of" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. Remember to avoid using it when direct approval is already established. Ludwig's analysis confirms its broad applicability and semantic clarity, making it a reliable choice for expressing potential agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would endorse

Focuses on formal support or backing.

would support

Indicates active assistance or championing.

would sanction

Implies official permission or authorization.

would consent to

Emphasizes giving permission or agreement.

would ratify

Suggests formal confirmation or validation.

would agree with

Focuses on having the same opinion or belief.

would be in favor of

Expresses a positive disposition towards something.

would countenance

Implies acceptance or tolerance of something.

would rubber-stamp

Suggests automatic or perfunctory approval.

would give the nod to

An informal way of saying would give approval to.

FAQs

How can I use "would approve of" in a sentence?

You can use "would approve of" to express that someone would likely agree with or support something. For example, "I think my teacher "would approve of" my research topic."

What's a more formal way to say "would approve of"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "would endorse" or "would sanction" which convey a stronger sense of official support.

What does "would approve of" imply about the situation?

"Would approve of" often suggests a hypothetical or conditional agreement. It implies that if the person were present or aware, they would likely give their approval. The phrase is useful when you need to indicate that something adheres to someone else's standards or preferences.

Is there a difference between "would approve of" and "approves of"?

Yes, "approves of" indicates present or ongoing approval, while "would approve of" suggests a hypothetical or potential agreement. For instance, "He approves of the new policy" means he currently supports it, whereas "He "would approve of" the policy" suggests he would likely support it if it were presented to him.