What is the difference between approve and ratify?

Definitions

approve

- Describing the act of giving permission or consent to something.

- Referring to the action of agreeing with or supporting a decision, idea, or proposal.

- Talking about the process of confirming or accepting something as valid or satisfactory.

ratify

- Referring to the formal process of confirming or validating a decision, agreement, or treaty.

- Describing the act of officially approving or accepting something through a legal or formal procedure.

- Talking about the action of giving official consent or authorization to something.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both involve giving approval or consent to something.
• 2. Both can refer to the process of confirming or accepting something.
• 3. Both are verbs that describe an action of officially endorsing or authorizing.

What is the difference?

• 1. Formality: Ratify is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts, while approve is more commonly used in everyday language.
• 2. Process: Ratify specifically refers to the formal confirmation or acceptance of a decision or agreement, while approve has a broader range of meanings and can refer to giving permission or support.
• 3. Authority: Ratify implies a higher level of authority or power, often involving a governing body or organization, while approve can be done by individuals or groups.
• 4. Legality: Ratify is often associated with legal or binding agreements, while approve can be used in various non-legal contexts.
• 5. Specificity: Ratify implies a more specific and official endorsement, while approve can be a general expression of agreement or support.

📌

Remember this!

Approve and ratify both involve giving approval or consent to something. However, the difference between approve and ratify lies in their formality, specificity, and the context in which they are used. Ratify is a more formal term used in legal or official contexts to refer to the formal confirmation or acceptance of a decision or agreement. On the other hand, approve is a more versatile term that can be used in everyday language to give permission, support, or agreement.