How to Understand the Difference Between Approve and Endorse

Around election time, particularly in a year featuring a presidential election, political ads will fly fast and furious in all types of media. That being the case, you're bound to read and hear a lot more of these two words: "approve" and "endorse." Because the context in which they are used is often the same, we may make the understandable assumption that the words mean the same thing. However, that's not the case. There's actually a subtle difference between the two terms, and it's a good idea to know the difference. Read on to learn how to understand the difference between approve and endorse.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Although "approve" and "endorse" are often considered to be synonymous with each other, the implications behind each term diverge. The difference is not conspicuous, but it does set one term apart from the other. The primary difference between these two words is that "approve" signifies a thought whereas "endorse" couples that thought with supportive action.

2. Essentially, to approve something is to give consent to it. It is to bear a positive bias toward that thing. If one approves something, one may agree with it, consent to it, and/or allow it to occur.

3. To endorse something, one must go beyond just approving it. One must also invest a certain amount of intellectual, or even physical, effort into supporting it. One isn't just giving something a tacit thumbs-up; one is stumping for it, circulating petitions and waving signs for it. In effect, one is expressing the sentiment, "I not only agree with this, but I want to get you to agree with this too."

4. Looked at another way, approval may say, "OK, this is fine by me." Endorsement says, "Hey, not only is this fine by me, but it's good for you, too. I recommend it!"

5. Remember, in grammar, as in politics, even subtle shades of intent are worth paying attention to.