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Showing disapproval

Sometimes we hear about an action that somebody else has done and we feel very negative about it.

Here are ten phrases that English people use to show their disapproval.

Ten ways to say you don't approve

casual · neutral · formal

  1. I don't think much of that.neutralThe new building is ugly. I don't think much of that.
  2. How appalling/dreadful!neutralstrongHe hit the dog? How dreadful!
  3. I'm utterly appalled/disgusted.neutralstrongI'm utterly disgusted by the rubbish on the beach.
  4. I'm dead against people doing...casualstrongI'm dead against people using phones while driving.
  5. It shouldn't be allowed!neutralstrongSelling cigarettes near schools? It shouldn't be allowed!
  6. What a rotten/mean thing to do.casualShe took his lunch? What a mean thing to do.
  7. I take a very dim view of people doing...formalI take a very dim view of people who jump the queue.
  8. Who do they think they are?casualThey parked in front of my gate. Who do they think they are?
  9. How can people do things like that?neutralHow can people do things like that to animals?
  10. Whatever next?casualCars that drive themselves? Whatever next?

How to use them

  • is not very strong. The speaker does not approve of an action and is not very upset. You can use this phrase to weakly agree with other people who are more angry or upset.
  • are stronger reactions to an action. You usually use these phrases immediately after you find out about the event or action.
  • is speaking more generally about a kind of action that you always disapprove of.
  • is saying that you would like a new law to prevent people from doing something that you think is bad. This also suggests that the action is legal at the moment.
  • is a very strong negative reaction to an action that you have just heard about. The speaker is also showing sympathy with the victim of the action.
  • is more formal and shows a general negative attitude to actions of a certain kind. You follow this phrase with a gerund (-ing form).
  • are showing strong negative reactions to an action. are showing particular disapproval of the people who did that.

Quick check

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  1. "I take a very dim view of..." is:

  2. "I'm dead against it" means:

  3. "Whatever next?" shows:

See also: Showing anger · Criticizing mistakes

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Showing concern

Sometimes other people are sad, upset or have a problem of some kind.

Complaining about hypocrisy

Sometimes some people criticize another person for doing something that they are also guilty of.

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