ask for approval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for approval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to request permission or consent for something. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, I need to ask for approval from my supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Its leaders assume that people do their best work when they don't have to ask for approval at every turn.

Harvard Business Review

After a few relationship-testing episodes, some spouses have started insisting that their partners ask for approval before posting comments and photographs that include them.

The New York Times

The lesson was that if you know you're right, go ahead and take the risk if there's no time to ask for approval.

The New York Times

Sun, which is based in Palo Alto, will ask for approval to increase the number of shares it can issue at its annual stockholders meeting on Nov. 8.

The New York Times

The couple have only known each other for 10 days when they arrive at her parents' home to announce their engagement and to ask for approval for the marriage.

The Guardian - Film

Albert acts on these types of insights as he goes, rather than stopping to ask for approval, which can present a learning curve to new adopters of AI, but he also shares what he's learning along the way.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Make sure that you stay on top of all assignments and continue to ask for approvals when needed.

Huffington Post

Q When I asked for approval to renovate my condominium, the building manager said the board would not approve plans that included replacing the bathtub.

The New York Times

No one is asking for approval of homosexuality.

The New York Times

"The American woman is always asking for approval," she explains.

The New York Times

The following year, again observing the convention, Cameron asked for approval for intervention against Isis in Iraq.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always check if there are predefined templates you can use when "asking for approval" to ensure you provide all the necessary information in a standardized format.

Common error

Don't assume that silence implies consent. Always obtain explicit approval, especially when dealing with critical decisions or resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for approval" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of requesting permission or authorization. It's commonly used to denote the process of seeking consent before proceeding with a particular action, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for approval" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for requesting permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While not exceedingly frequent, its presence in authoritative sources and consistent usage suggest its relevance in formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in your request and be mindful of the context to select the most appropriate alternative if needed, such as "request permission" or "seek authorization".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request permission

A more general term for asking to be allowed to do something.

seek authorization

Emphasizes a formal request for official permission or legal power.

gain clearance

Implies obtaining necessary authorization, especially for security or access.

obtain consent

Focuses on getting agreement or approval, often in legal or ethical contexts.

petition for approval

Indicates a formal, written request.

secure agreement

Highlights the act of ensuring an accord or consensus is reached.

get sign-off

Informal way of saying to have the formal procedure finished.

solicit endorsement

Suggests seeking support or recommendation, not just permission.

appeal for sanction

Formal way of asking for authorization or penalty for not follow the rules.

get the green light

An informal way of saying to receive approval to proceed.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "ask for approval" in a sentence?

Use "ask for approval" when you need to request permission or consent for an action or decision. For example: "Before implementing the new marketing strategy, we need to "ask for approval" from the executive team."

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

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

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

Both "ask for approval" and "seek approval" are correct and usable. "Ask for approval" is more direct, while "seek approval" implies a more proactive approach in obtaining that approval.

When is it appropriate to "ask for approval"?

It's appropriate to "ask for approval" when you're required to get permission before proceeding with a task, project, or decision, especially in hierarchical organizations or regulated environments.