ask for approval from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for approval from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to request permission or consent from someone, typically in a formal or professional context. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, we must ask for approval from the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If a manager needs to exceed his budget given a change in priorities or to hire ahead of planned attrition, they can ask for approval from their manager or finance.

Forbes

Assuming some level of revisions, the written estimate will usually note some leeway of 10percentt, above which the studio will ask for approval from the artist.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The organizers of that race, NYCRUNS, opened a waiting list and asked for approval from the Prospect Park Alliance to expand its permit from 500 to between 1,000 and 2,500 runners.

The New York Times

Then, the Iraqis played their trump card: a call to high-ranking Shiite clerics in the holy city of Najaf, asking for approval from the marjaiya, the supreme authority in Iraqi Shiism.

The New York Times

"Once I found out that this was falling in my lap and there was something wrong, I decided we're not doing it again". David Gau, the board's executive director, confirmed to a legislative panel on April 20 that some board members have tried to have staff and resources reassigned without asking for approval from his office, which they are required to do.

Los Angeles Times

Shelley also said he would require the chief executive of each voting system company to affirm, under penalty of perjury, that no significant changes be made to elections systems or software without asking for approval from the secretary of state's office.

Los Angeles Times

McCourt last year asked for approval of a $200-million 200-millionox. Seloanrejected the deal, in part because the Dodgers' debt load would have increased from $525 million to $725 million, according to a person Foxiliar with the deal.

Los Angeles 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

"We were not asked for approval of the financial package, formally or informally," they said.

BBC

1. Continue asking for approval.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for approval from", ensure that the context clearly indicates who the approval is being sought from and why it is necessary. For clarity, specify the subject or action requiring approval.

Common error

Avoid seeking approval from individuals who lack the authority to grant it. Always verify the appropriate hierarchical level or department from whom approval is required to prevent delays and maintain protocol.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for approval from" functions as a requestive expression, typically used to seek permission or endorsement before proceeding with a plan, action, or decision. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts requiring formal authorization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for approval from" is grammatically sound and serves to request authorization or endorsement in various contexts. Ludwig indicates it is more common in professional settings, particularly within news, business, and scientific domains. While correct, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. For alternatives, consider phrases like "request authorization from" or "seek permission from" depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request authorization from

This alternative uses a more formal term, "authorization", instead of "approval".

seek permission from

This phrase uses "seek permission" which is a slightly more formal way of saying "ask for approval".

obtain consent from

This is a more formal way of saying "ask for approval" and implies a more official or legal context.

require clearance from

This alternative suggests a formal process where clearance is needed before proceeding.

get the go-ahead from

This alternative is more informal and implies receiving permission to proceed.

secure acceptance from

Focuses on making sure something will be accepted by someone in charge.

apply for endorsement from

This implies seeking formal support or recommendation from someone.

gain agreement from

This emphasizes the act of getting someone to agree to a proposal or action.

check with

This is a more casual way of saying that you need to get someone's okay before moving forward.

solicit feedback from

This alternative focuses on gathering opinions or suggestions rather than formal approval.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ask for approval from" in a formal context?

In a formal setting, you can use phrases like "request authorization from", "seek permission from", or "obtain consent from" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "ask for approval from" suitable for casual conversations?

While grammatically correct, "ask for approval from" might sound too formal in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "check with" or "get the go-ahead from" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "ask for approval from" and "ask permission from"?

"Ask for approval from" typically implies seeking endorsement or agreement, while "ask permission from" focuses more on requesting allowance to do something. Both are similar, but the specific context determines the best choice.

Are there specific situations where using "ask for approval from" is preferred?

The phrase "ask for approval from" is especially useful in professional or structured environments where a formal decision-making process is in place. This includes scenarios such as project management, budget allocation, or policy implementation.