🎓 Study English中文版
What does “approach” mean?
an approach to sth / approach sth
/əˈprəʊtʃ/
＝ a way of dealing with something; to start dealing with something, or to come near
The noun and the verb behave in opposite ways: the noun takes “to” (an approach to the problem), the verb does not (approach the problem). This is the most common mistake Hong Kong students make with it.
In plain English
The basic meaning of approach is to come closer: you walk step by step towards something.
From that, the way you “walk towards” a problem is your approach: your way of dealing with it. So “a new approach to teaching” is a new way of teaching.
Remember: noun with “to” (my approach to revision); verb with a direct object (approach the question carefully).
5 meanings of approach
- an approach to somethinga way of dealing with somethingAcademic writing
We need a different approach to waste reduction.
- approach a problem or taskto start dealing with a problem or task in a certain wayAcademic writing
How should we approach this essay question?
- approach a personto go to someone to ask or suggest somethingCommon
I approached my tutor after class about an extension.
- approach, meaning come nearto come closer in time or distanceCommon
As the DSE approaches, the study rooms get crowded.
- approachablefriendly and easy to talk toEveryday
Dr Wong is very approachable, so just email her.
Sentence patterns
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| a new / different / practical approach to sth | The school is trying a more practical approach to STEM education. |
| take / adopt an approach | This study adopts a qualitative approach, using interviews. |
| approach sth from a … perspective | We approached the topic from an economic perspective. |
| approach sb for / about sth | She approached the professor for a reference letter. |
| sth is fast approaching | The project deadline is fast approaching. |
Real-life examples
👥 A group choosing a research method
Eric: Should we do a survey or interviews?
Fiona: Let’s combine both. A mixed-methods approach will look stronger in the report.
🎓 A university tutorial
Tutor: There is no single right answer. How would you approach this case?
Jacky: I would start by looking at who is affected.
📝 An exam getting closer
Mum: The mock exam is approaching. Have you made a revision plan?
Hoi Ching: Yes, one subject a day, with past papers at the weekend.
Common mistakes
✗ We should approach to this problem carefully.
✓ We should approach this problem carefully.
The verb “approach” takes its object directly, with no “to”.
✗ This is a new approach of learning English.
✓ This is a new approach to learning English.
The noun goes with “to”, not “of”. After this “to”, use a noun or an -ing form (learning), not a base verb.
✗ The teacher approached me to tell that my essay was late.
✓ The teacher approached me to tell me that my essay was late.
“Approach someone” is fine, but “tell” needs a person after it: “tell me that…”.
✗ The exam is approaching to us.
✓ The exam is approaching. / The exam is coming up.
When time is coming closer, “approach” needs no object, and certainly no “to us”.
Before and after ✨
The method section of a research report, rewritten with Dictionify’s Polish: removed words are crossed out and new words are highlighted.
In this project, we use the approach of interview to approach to the problem of elderly loneliness. We think this approach can let us know their feeling more deep.
In this project, we use the approach of interview to take a qualitative approach to the problem of elderly loneliness. loneliness among older people. We think interviewed ten elderly residents in Sham Shui Po, as this approach can let allowed us know to understand their feeling feelings in more deep. depth.
- the approach of interview to approach to the problem → a qualitative approach to the problem: the noun takes “to”, and do not use “approach” twice in one sentence.
- We think this approach can let us know → this approach allowed us to understand: “let us know” is too casual; “allow someone to do” suits a report.
- more deep → in more depth: “deep” is an adjective, so use “in depth” here. Adding the number of interviews and the place also makes the method clearer.
Similar and opposite phrases
| Phrase | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| method | a way of doing something | More concrete: the actual steps (interviews, experiments). “Approach” is the bigger idea behind them. |
| strategy | a planned set of actions to reach a goal | Stresses planning towards a goal, e.g. a revision strategy. |
| perspective | a point of view | Where you look from, while an approach is how you deal with it. The two often appear together. |
| tackle | to deal with a difficult problem | A verb that sounds more active than “approach”: you set out to fix it. |
Opposite: avoid (to stay away from a problem or person); move away from (to go further from something)
Quick quiz
Pick an answer to check it straight away.
Which sentence is correct?
Answer: A. The verb “approach” takes a direct object, with no “to” or “of”.
“Project-based learning is a hands-on approach ______ teaching science.” Fill the gap.
Answer: C. The fixed pattern for the noun is “an approach to something”.
“The deadline is approaching.” This means…
Answer: B. “Approach” can mean to come closer in time.
FAQ
Why does the noun take “to” but the verb does not?
The noun is like “a road to something”, so it uses “to”. The verb already means “move towards”, so adding “to” repeats the idea. Learn the pair: my approach to the problem / I approached the problem.
“Approach” vs “method”: what is the difference?
An approach is the overall way of thinking, e.g. a qualitative approach. A method is the specific tool, e.g. interviews or questionnaires. Reports often say: “We adopted a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews as our main method.”
Can I write “I would like to approach you” in an email to a professor?
It is grammatical but sounds odd. “I am writing to ask about…” or “Could I ask you about…?” is more natural. “Approach someone” is mostly used to describe what someone did: “I approached my professor after the lecture.”
Can I describe a teacher as “approachable”?
Yes, and it is a common compliment. It means the teacher is friendly and easy to talk to, so students are not afraid to ask questions: “Our tutor is friendly and approachable.”
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