Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
approvals sought
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "approvals sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating that approvals are being requested or required for a particular action or decision. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, we need to ensure that all necessary approvals sought have been obtained from the stakeholders."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
ethical approval
approval granted
Authorization requested
Permissions requested
Clearance pursued
Consent being obtained
Sanction pursued
Endorsement requested
approvals requested
permissions sought
approvals seen
approvals set
permits sought
applications sought
licences sought
assent sought
authority sought
approvals see
health sought
qualification sought
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Once the intervention has been designed and the measurement tools identified, a detailed protocol following CONSORT guidance 26 will be drawn up and ethical approvals sought.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Ethical approval for this project was provided as part of the ethical approval sought and approved for the project inCASA from the UK National Research Ethics Committee NRECC).
The study was approved by a multi-centre research ethics committee with local ethical approval sought by each recruiting centre.
Science
Feasibility studies must be conducted, rounds of testing completed, state agencies notified and their approval sought.
News & Media
Regulatory authorities were notified and approval sought as required by local laws and regulations.
Science
Treating physicians were contacted and approval sought from them before attempts were made to contact their patients.
Science
Ethical review was conducted by the Kenyatta National Hospital Ethics Review Committee and approval sought and granted from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Nairobi.
All chief executives of the hospitals involved in the audit were contacted and approval sought prior to the audit.
Science
Not only acquiescence but a beseeching, approval seeking, people pleasing".
News & Media
Approval seeking: Women can't help it.
News & Media
As much as your ego seeks love and approval, it thrives off your approval seeking behaviors.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "approvals sought", clearly specify from whom the approvals are being sought to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Regulatory approvals sought from the FDA."
Common error
Avoid using "approvals sought" without specifying what the approvals pertain to. Always provide context to ensure clarity. For instance, instead of just saying "approvals sought", specify "approvals sought for the clinical trial protocol".
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "approvals sought" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone is in the process of requesting or pursuing formal permission or authorization. As noted by Ludwig, it's commonly found in contexts where official clearances are necessary.
Frequent in
Science
70%
News & Media
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "approvals sought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that permissions or authorizations are being actively pursued. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in formal and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying from whom the approvals are being sought and what they pertain to. Consider alternatives such as "authorization requested" or "permissions requested" for similar meanings. Avoiding ambiguity and maintaining specificity will enhance the effectiveness of your communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Authorization requested
Replaces 'sought' with a direct synonym 'requested'.
Permissions requested
Substitutes 'approvals' with 'permissions', implying a similar but slightly different form of consent.
Clearance pursued
Uses 'clearance' instead of 'approvals' and 'pursued' instead of 'sought', suggesting a more active and ongoing effort.
Consent being obtained
Emphasizes the process of obtaining consent, changing the focus from a static 'sought' to a dynamic 'being obtained'.
Sanction pursued
Replaces 'approvals' with 'sanction', indicating official permission or endorsement, and 'sought' with 'pursued'.
Endorsement requested
Uses 'endorsement' as a substitute for 'approval', highlighting the supportive aspect of the authorization.
Ratification pursued
Indicates formal confirmation or validation is being actively sort after.
Licenses being acquired
Specifies a type of approval ('licenses') and uses 'being acquired' to show the action of obtaining them.
Formalities being processed
Changes the focus to the handling of required steps, indicating a procedural aspect to the approval process.
Accreditation pending
Highlights the awaiting status of the approval in the specific context of formal accreditation.
FAQs
How can I use "approvals sought" in a sentence?
You can use "approvals sought" to indicate that permissions or authorizations are being requested or pursued. For example, "Ethical "ethical approval" was sought from the review board before commencing the study."
What's a formal alternative to "approvals sought"?
A more formal alternative could be "authorization requested" or "permissions being formally pursued". These options convey a similar meaning but are suitable for professional or academic contexts.
Is it correct to say "approval sought" instead of "approvals sought"?
While "approval sought" is grammatically correct, "approvals sought" is more common when multiple approvals are required or implied. Use "approval sought" when referring to a single, specific approval.
What is the difference between "approval granted" and "approvals sought"?
"Approval granted" indicates that the permission has been given, while "approvals sought" means that the permission is still being requested or pursued but not yet obtained.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested