Cool MateApprove vs Sanction
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Approve
Sanction
| Approve | Sanction | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpruːv/","/əˈpruːvz/","/əˈpruːvd/","/əˈpruːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpruːv/","/əˈpruːvz/","/əˈpruːvd/","/əˈpruːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsæŋkʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsæŋkʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | To agree with something or say it is okay. | To allow or approve something, or to punish someone for something. |
| Example | The committee will approve the new policy next week. | The government imposed economic sanctions on the country to discourage its aggressive actions. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | fully, heartily, strongly, of, formally, officially, federally | economic, financial, military, apply, enforce, impose, sanction against, sanction for, the imposition of sanctions, the lifting of sanctions, a threat of sanctions, government, official, divine, give something, with somebody/something’s sanction, without somebody/something’s sanction, economic, financial, military, apply, enforce, impose, sanction against, sanction for, the imposition of sanctions, the lifting of sanctions, a threat of sanctions |
| Antonyms | disapprove, reject, deny | approve, permit |
| Common mistakes | '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. | Confused with the opposite meaning (approval vs punishment)., Omitting the object when using the word., Using it in informal contexts where approval is meant. |
| Usage notes | 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. | In formal contexts, 'sanction' can imply both approval and punishment, which can be confusing. In legal or diplomatic language, it's often used to refer to punitive measures against countries or organizations. Avoid using in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Approve vs Sanction
What's the difference between Approve and Sanction?
Approve: To agree with something or say it is okay. Sanction: To allow or approve something, or to punish someone for something.
Which is more formal: Approve and Sanction?
Sanction is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Approve and Sanction?
Approve is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Approve and Sanction?
Sanction is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Approve and Sanction the same CEFR level?
Approve: B2, Sanction: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Approve and Sanction?
Approve: verb, Sanction: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Approve: The committee will approve the new policy next week. Sanction: The government imposed economic sanctions on the country to discourage its aggressive actions.
Can I use Approve and Sanction interchangeably?
Not always. Approve and Sanction 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.