問:以下一句,approval之後的for應不應改為of?──I would like to seek your approval for attending the meeting on 28 March(三月二十八日之會議,僕有意參加,盼予批准)。
答:Approve有兩個意思,一是「批准」,其後直接受詞(object);一是「贊許」,其後用of帶出受詞,例如:(1)The committee approved my proposal(委員會批准我的建議)。(2)I don't approve of compulsory piano lessons for children(我不贊成強迫兒童上鋼琴課)。
名詞approval之後,則無論是說「批准」還是「贊許」,都可用of帶出受詞,例如:(1)The committee's approval of my proposal is heartening(委員會批准了我的建議,令我十分振奮)。(2)Her parents' smiles showed their approval of her idea(看她父母的微笑,就知道他們贊許她的主意)。
不過,approval之後,有時也會用for。To seek / win approval for、to give / express one's approval for等,是「就某事情要求/獲得批准」或「就某事情給予/表示許可」,而ing動詞之前更多用for,例如:(1)The company was given approval for launching the new drug(公司獲准售賣這種新藥)。(2)We will have to seek approval of / for the plan from the director(我們須向董事申請批准這個計劃)。讀者示下那一句,也應用for,不同of。
此外,approval之後,還可用「to+動詞」,例如:I would like to seek your approval to attend the meeting。