approval of, approval to, approve, approve of

Approval suggests agreement or consent and can be followed by the preposition of or to.

• Your approval means a lot to me.
• Dad nodded his approval of my brother’s plans, while Mom shook her head in silent disapproval.
• The team owner gave her approval to the manager’s request for longer workouts.

Approve means to sanction or ratify.

• Treasury Board has approved the expenditure reduction plan.

Approve of means to think well of.

• The Deputy Minister approved of Szabo’s bold initiative.