Approval Disapproval

to approve of + [noun / verb+ing] to disapprove of + [noun / verb+ing]

be in favor of + noun to be against + noun

to be for + noun

Excellent! / Fine! / Splendid!

A very good idea!

Expressions of approval or praise for an achievement or wise conduct include:

I’m sure you did right. Good for you! Well done!

I’m sure that was the right thing to do (in the circumstances).

That’s / was clever / sensible / thoughtful, etc. (of you / him, etc.)

Sometimes, however, less direct and less emotional forms are preferable, as they are not so final and leave the speaker a chance to withdraw his view without indignity if it is not shared by the other person. Thus instead of superlatives or very, rather or quite are often used. In such cases quite means more or less the same as fairly, rather is often an understatement for very and not bad in fact means quite good.

These are typical examples of what is usually called the British habit of understatement. When expressing disapproval, you should try to avoid strong terms. For this reason a negative expression is often preferable:

a very nice idea.

It / That isn’t /wasn’t a very nice thing / to say / do.

so interesting as we had expected.

To make such statements less abrupt and final, one may begin them with Well, personally I think …, or Don’t you think…? Stronger expressions of disapproval include:

You shouldn’t do / have done that. What for? Whatever for?

Both of these expressions may refer either to something already done or to something planned or suggested. The second is more emphatic.

That’s / was silly / inconsiderate / thoughtless / selfish (of you etc.)

That’s / was a silly thing to do / say. How could you! – implies not only disapproval, but also indignation or reproach.

Whoever heard of such a thing! It’s (all) your fault (really)…

You’re (the one) to blame (for)…

The very idea! – mixed with indignation or disgust.