apply for approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply for approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of seeking permission or endorsement for something, such as a project, proposal, or application. Example: "Before we can proceed with the project, we need to apply for approval from the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Connecticut, insurers apply for approval individually.

The New York Times

The company plans to apply for approval in June.

The New York Times

That would allow KaloBios to apply for approval in about a year.

The New York Times

GlaxoSmithKline said it would apply for approval of the drug for ovarian cancer.

The New York Times - Health

The results will be used by Johnson & Johnson to apply for approval for that use.

The New York Times - Health

He said the company planned to apply for approval of LMTX to be used by itself.

The New York Times

If further trials are as effective, the team could apply for approval for the therapy in the next five years.

The Guardian

Merck said it would apply for approval of the drug soon and that it could reach the market in 2004.

The New York Times

The institute has said that it needs to apply for approval from Mr. Bradley's department and the regional planning commission.

The New York Times

Under the rules, people without Australian citizenship generally need to apply for approval before purchasing residential real estate in Australia.

The Guardian

But it is still too early to apply for approval from the Food and Drug Administration, Shahinpoor says.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apply for approval", clearly specify the entity from whom approval is being sought to avoid ambiguity. For example, "apply for approval from the FDA".

Common error

Avoid using "apply for approval" without indicating what exactly needs approval. Instead of saying "We need to apply for approval", specify "We need to apply for approval of the budget proposal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply for approval" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally requesting permission or authorization. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to denote the process of seeking official endorsement or consent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apply for approval" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that denotes the act of formally requesting permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including news, science, and academia. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify the entity from whom approval is being sought and the subject requiring approval. While alternatives like "seek authorization" or "request permission" exist, "apply for approval" maintains a specific connotation of a formal application process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek authorization

Emphasizes the act of actively looking for formal permission.

request permission

A direct and simple way to ask for allowance to do something.

obtain consent

Highlights gaining agreement or assent.

secure endorsement

Focuses on getting support or backing for something.

file for permission

Specifically relates to a formal filing or application process.

solicit acceptance

A more formal way of seeking agreement or approval.

pursue clearance

Implies actively working to get official authorization.

ask for the green light

An idiomatic expression meaning to ask for permission to proceed.

get the go-ahead

A colloquial way of saying to receive permission to start something.

seek the nod

Infers to get a gesture of approval.

FAQs

How to use "apply for approval" in a sentence?

You can use "apply for approval" when you want to express the action of formally requesting permission or authorization for something. For example, "The company plans to "apply for approval" of the new drug from the FDA".

What can I say instead of "apply for approval"?

You can use alternatives like "seek authorization", "request permission", or "obtain consent" depending on the context.

Is it better to "apply for approval" or "seek approval"?

"Apply for approval" suggests a more formal process, like submitting an application. "Seek approval" is more general and can refer to informal requests as well.

What's the difference between "apply for approval" and "get approval"?

"Apply for approval" describes the act of requesting permission. "Get approval" indicates that the permission has already been granted.