- Are you unsure whether to say “get approval” or “take approval”?
- Do you struggle to choose between “approval of” and “approval for”?
- Would you like to sound more professional when asking for permission in a business setting?
Mastering approval collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In natural conversation, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in specific clusters. By learning which words naturally “bond” with “approval,” you reduce your mental translation time, lower language anxiety, and ensure your English sounds modern and professional rather than robotic or dated.
Essential Collocations using APPROVAL as a Noun
Verbs Used with Approval (The Action)
In professional and academic English, the verb you pair with “approval” changes the level of formality and the direction of the action.
- Seek approval: To actively look for or ask for permission. (e.g., “We need to seek approval from the board before spending the budget.”)
- Gain/Win approval: To successfully receive permission after effort. (e.g., “The new policy managed to win approval from the majority of staff.”)
- Grant approval: A formal way to say “give permission” (usually by an authority). (e.g., “The city council has finally granted approval for the new building.”)
- Withhold approval: To refuse to give permission. (e.g., “The manager decided to withhold approval until the safety report was finished.”)
- Meet with approval: To be liked or accepted by a group. (e.g., “The design changes met with general approval.”)
Adjectives Used with Approval (The Quality)
These adjectives describe what kind of permission is being discussed.
- Formal approval: Official, written permission. (e.g., “Don’t start the project until we have formal approval.”)
- Tacit approval: Implied permission without it being spoken or written. (e.g., “By not protesting, the director gave his tacit approval to the plan.”)
- Unanimous approval: When everyone in a group agrees. (e.g., “The proposal was passed with unanimous approval.”)
- Prior approval: Permission that must be obtained beforehand. (e.g., “Travel expenses require prior approval from the finance department.”)
Common Idiomatic Phrases
- Seal of approval: A statement or sign that someone high-ranking likes something. (e.g., “The product has the chef’s seal of approval.”)
- On approval: A business term meaning you can take an item, try it, and return it if you don’t like it. (e.g., “I bought the rug on approval to see if it matches my sofa.”)
Common Collocations with APPROVE as a Verb
While “approval” is the noun, the root verb “approve” has its own set of essential collocations and prepositional rules that learners often find tricky.
Adverbs Used with Approve
- Strongly approve: To agree with something completely. (e.g., “I strongly approve of the new environmental laws.”)
- Heartily approve: To agree with enthusiasm (common in British English). (e.g., “My grandmother heartily approves of your new career path.”)
- Tacitly approve: To show agreement through silence. (e.g., “The government tacitly approved the protest by not intervening.”)
Essential Prepositions
- Approve of (someone/something): Used when you think something is good or right. (e.g., “My parents don’t approve of my smoking.”)
- Approve (something): Used when officially giving permission for a plan or document. (e.g., “The manager approved the request yesterday.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Seek approval | Verb + Noun | To ask for permission. |
| Formal approval | Adjective + Noun | Official, documented permission. |
| Approve of | Verb + Preposition | To think something is a good idea. |
| Seal of approval | Noun Phrase (Idiom) | A sign of high-level support. |
| Unanimous approval | Adjective + Noun | 100% agreement from a group. |
| Grant approval | Verb + Noun | To officially give permission. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I need to |
I need to get/seek your approval. |
| Does he approve |
Does he approve of the plan? |
| The boss gave his |
The boss gave his approval. |
| I want to |
I want to win the approval of my fans. |
“Before we launched the marketing campaign, we had to seek formal approval from the legal department. Fortunately, our creative strategy met with unanimous approval during the board meeting. The CEO even gave it his personal seal of approval, which helped us gain the approval of the investors much faster than expected.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Approval Collocations
What is the difference between “approval of” and “approval for”?
We generally use “approval of” when referring to the person or thing being liked (e.g., “Her approval of the project”). We use “approval for” when referring to the purpose or the specific permission to do an action (e.g., “He needs approval for a loan”). However, in many contexts, “approval of” is the more common and versatile choice.
Can I say “give an approval”?
Technically, you can, but it is much more natural to say “give approval” (uncountable) or “grant approval.” Native speakers rarely use the indefinite article “an” before “approval” unless they are describing a specific type, like “He gave an enthusiastic approval.”
What does “subject to approval” mean?
This is a common legal and business phrase. It means that a deal or plan is not final yet; it can only happen IF someone else says yes. For example, “The contract is subject to approval by the CEO.”
Is “seal of approval” only for physical seals?
No. While it historically refers to a wax seal on a document, today it is used metaphorically. If a famous person endorses a product, they are giving it their “seal of approval.”
How do I use “on approval” in a sentence?
“On approval” is used when you receive goods that you can return if they aren’t satisfactory. Example: “The shop sent me the dress on approval, so I can try it on at home before I pay.”
I'm a beginner, and this article makes me feel like I can start sounding more professional even with basic vocabulary. 'Seek approval' is a good phrase to remember for school projects.
This is great. I always mix up 'give' and 'grant' approval. The example of the city council is perfect for 'grant'.
The summary mentioned that words don't exist in isolation. This is such an important concept that many learners miss. Understanding collocations like 'approval' is key to sounding authentic. More articles like this, please!
We're so glad you highlighted that point, Aisha! It's truly fundamental to natural language. We definitely agree that understanding how words 'bond' together is essential for authenticity. We'll keep bringing you more content focused on practical collocations!
So, is 'request approval' also a common and professional collocation? How does it differ from 'seek approval'?
I was looking for resources for my advanced students on business English, and this fits perfectly. The examples are clear, and the distinction between the verbs is well-explained. Thank you!
This article is a treasure! I struggle with sounding 'robotic' sometimes, and I think it's exactly because I don't use enough natural collocations like these. I'm going to try using 'grant approval' in my next email.
The part about reducing mental translation time really resonates with me. When I know the collocation, I don't have to think, 'How do I say X in English?' – it just comes naturally. This is vital for fluency!
Absolutely, Ben! You've perfectly articulated one of the core benefits of learning collocations. They act as ready-made chunks of language, significantly speeding up your communication and boosting your confidence. Keep identifying those 'chunks'!
What about 'secure approval'? I sometimes hear that in project management contexts. How does it compare to 'gain' or 'win'?
I always default to 'get approval'. This article has opened my eyes to so many more precise and professional options. I particularly like 'seek approval'.
This is so helpful! I work in a multinational company, and I've heard colleagues use 'obtain approval' quite often. Is 'obtain approval' synonymous with 'gain approval,' or is there a subtle difference in formality or usage?
Great observation, Maria! 'Obtain approval' is indeed very similar to 'gain approval' and often used interchangeably, especially in business or formal contexts. 'Obtain' can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or bureaucratic feel, suggesting the acquisition of something through a process, while 'gain' can imply success after effort. Both are excellent choices for professional communication!