Cool MateAgree vs Approve
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Agree
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Approve
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| Agree | Approve | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈɡriː/","/əˈɡriːz/","/əˈɡriːd/","/əˈɡriːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈɡriː/","/əˈɡriːz/","/əˈɡriːd/","/əˈɡriːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpruːv/","/əˈpruːvz/","/əˈpruːvd/","/əˈpruːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpruːv/","/əˈpruːvz/","/əˈpruːvd/","/əˈpruːvɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To have the same opinion or feeling as someone else. | To agree with something or say it is okay. |
| Example | I agree with you about the plan for our trip. | The committee will approve the new policy next week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | emphatically, heartily, strongly, cannot, have to, be inclined to, about, on, upon, I couldn’t agree more, I quite agree, I’m sure you will agree, happily, readily, voluntarily, be unable to, fail to, to, agree to differ, agree to disagree, (be) mutually agreed, happily, readily, voluntarily, be unable to, fail to, to, agree to differ, agree to disagree, (be) mutually agreed, happily, readily, voluntarily, be unable to, fail to, to, agree to differ, agree to disagree, (be) mutually agreed | fully, heartily, strongly, of, formally, officially, federally |
| Antonyms | disagree, dissent, oppose | disapprove, reject, deny |
| Common mistakes | Mixing up 'agree' with 'disagree', Using 'agree to' instead of 'agree with', Forgetting to include the person or thing one agrees with | 'Approve of' vs 'approve'. Learners may incorrectly use 'approve of' when not necessary., Confusing 'approve' with 'accept'. They have different meanings., Using 'approving' incorrectly as a noun rather than as a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'agree with' for opinions and 'agree that' for statements. Avoid in formal writing if expressing disagreement; use more formal alternatives. | Use 'approve' when formally agreeing to plans, ideas, or documents, typically in work or legal contexts. Avoid in informal conversations where 'okay' or 'sure' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Agree vs Approve
What's the difference between Agree and Approve?
Agree: To have the same opinion or feeling as someone else. Approve: To agree with something or say it is okay.
Which is more advanced: Agree and Approve?
Approve is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Agree and Approve the same CEFR level?
Agree: A1, Approve: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Agree and Approve?
Agree: verb, Approve: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Agree: I agree with you about the plan for our trip. Approve: The committee will approve the new policy next week.
Can I use Agree and Approve interchangeably?
Not always. Agree and Approve are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.