English Dictionary
Definition approve in British English
approve
verb
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
verb
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
▪ heartily, thoroughly, warmly, wholeheartedly
▪ formally, narrowly, officially, overwhelmingly, personally, unanimously
When approve means ‘to have a positive feeling towards something or someone’, it is followed by of, not by a direct object.
✗ I do not approve violence.
✓ I do not approve of violence.
✗ It is easy for us to say ‘I don’t approve euthanasia’, because we are not in pain.
✓ It is easy for us to say ‘I don’t approve of euthanasia’, because we are not in pain.
You can also use the pattern approve of someone doing something (not ‘approve someone to do something’):
✗ In Turkish society, people do not approve parents to get divorced.
✓ In Turkish society, people do not approve of parents getting divorced.
However, when approve means ‘to give official agreement to something’, it is used with a direct object.
The General Assembly approved a resolution ordering Saddam’s troops to withdraw immediately.
He seemed to approve of my choice.
to give official agreement or permission to something
The new stamps were personally approved by the Queen.
