ask for a mandate

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask for a mandate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when asking someone to authorize or approve an action. For example: "The President asked Congress to ask for a mandate to launch a military campaign in the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The prime minister will say: "The next Conservative manifesto in 2015 will ask for a mandate from the British people for a Conservative government to negotiate a new settlement with our European partners in the next parliament.

The Guardian

The next Conservative manifesto in 2015 will ask for a mandate from the British people for a Conservative government to negotiate a new settlement with our European partners in the next parliament.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Why are you asking for a mandate?

The Guardian

Tsipras asked for a mandate and got it.

The Guardian - Business

"But we are asking for a mandate from the Australian people".

The Guardian

That would give Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond a fine excuse to go into the 2016 Scottish elections asking for a mandate for a second independence referendum.

The Economist

The prospect then would be for a second election in the autumn, in which voters would be asked for a mandate supporting the Conservative cuts.

The New York Times

"He was reëlected without asking for a mandate to do anything big, and he didn't get anything big done as President".

The New Yorker

In elevating the call for private accounts to the presidential campaign, Mr. Bush is asking for a mandate to break the deadlock.

The New York Times

They think the party should spend the next years consolidating its position before asking for a mandate for a new referendum at elections to the Scottish Parliament in 2020.

The Economist

He added that "30 million" Egyptians had taken to the streets to support him after he delivered a controversial speech on July 24 asking for a "mandate" to fight terrorism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose synonyms like "request authorization" or "seek approval" for more formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for a mandate" in everyday conversations. This phrase is best reserved for formal political or organizational settings where official authorization is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for a mandate" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of requesting formal authorization or approval to act on behalf of a group or constituency. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples where individuals or parties are seeking permission to implement policies or negotiate agreements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for a mandate" is a correct and usable expression that serves to convey the act of seeking official authorization or permission to act on behalf of a group. While not overly common, as shown by Ludwig's examples, its usage is appropriate in formal settings like politics and organizational governance. Alternatives like "request authorization" or "seek approval" may be suitable depending on the audience. It's essential to reserve its use for situations where official approval is genuinely needed, and avoid using it in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request authorization

This alternative uses more formal language to convey the act of seeking official permission.

seek approval

This focuses on getting a positive affirmation or consent for a proposed action.

solicit endorsement

This implies seeking public support or a formal declaration of approval.

appeal for support

This highlights the act of making a plea to gain backing for a cause or decision.

seek a vote of confidence

This alternative relates specifically to situations where a formal expression of trust is required.

pursue a sanction

This denotes the act of trying to acquire official authorization or permission.

petition for leave

This is a more formal way of requesting permission to take action or proceed.

apply for empowerment

This phrase emphasizes gaining the power or authority necessary to act.

call for a referendum

This specifically refers to seeking a direct popular vote on a particular issue.

look for confirmation

This alternative describes that someone is checking to make sure something is correct

FAQs

What does it mean to "ask for a mandate"?

To "ask for a mandate" means to request authority or permission from a constituency or governing body to carry out a specific action or policy. It often implies seeking electoral support for a proposed agenda.

How can I use "ask for a mandate" in a sentence?

You might say, "The prime minister will "ask for a mandate" from the people to negotiate a new trade agreement."

What's a more formal alternative to "ask for a mandate"?

More formal alternatives include "request authorization" or "seek approval", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "ask for a mandate"?

It's appropriate to use "ask for a mandate" in political, organizational, or formal contexts when seeking explicit approval or authority to act on behalf of others.