ask for authorisation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for authorization" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are seeking permission from someone to do something. For example: "I need to ask for authorization to access the secure server."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

South Wales and Kent then also asked for authorisation.

The Guardian

In a House of Commons vote held, languidly, a few weeks later, the government only asked for authorisation to strike IS targets in Iraq.

The Economist

Arnaldo Momigliano, a classicist, informed us that in the Greek colony of Massalia (today's Marseille), "Whoever wanted to commit suicide asked for authorisation from the senators; if his reasons were good, he was given hemlock free of charge".

The Economist

Last month, the Home Office released stop-and-search statistics showing that since section 47a was introduced, police forces in England and Wales have asked for authorisation to use it precisely zero times.

The Guardian - Opinion

If it is to "recover its voice and legitimacy as leader of the US capital markets", to use the words of his letter asking for authorisation for the changes sent out to the exchange's members, the exchange will have to do a lot and do it quickly.

The Economist

The WTO has ruled that the EU and the four governments involved in Airbus have failed to comply with an earlier ruling that they should withdraw contested subsidies and the US has asked for authorisation to retaliate to the tune of $11bn.

BBC

First, they thought double registration first as a user and then as an expert (where they must indicate their area of expertise and ask for expert authorisation) on two different website locations was illogical.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

President Obama has gone to the US Congress to ask for a military authorisation for the use of force against Syria after its international-norm-breaking use of chemical weapons against its own people.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in June, during an easing of tension, he asked for that authorisation to be revoked.

BBC

In June, during one of the periodic easings of tension, he asked for that authorisation to be revoked.

BBC

Mr Boehner said that the administration would be in breach of the resolution unless the White House "asks for and receives authorisation from Congress or withdraws all US troops and resources from the mission".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, specify who you are asking for authorisation from and for what purpose. For instance, "The researchers asked the ethics committee for authorisation to conduct the study."

Common error

Be mindful of the spelling depending on the region. "Authorization" is standard in American English, while "authorisation" is used in British English. Choose the correct spelling based on your target audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for authorisation" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request or application for formal permission. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It involves seeking approval from an authority to undertake a specific action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for authorisation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the act of seeking formal permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who you are asking for authorisation from and what the authorisation pertains to. Remember to consider the regional spelling differences between "authorization" (American English) and "authorisation" (British English). Alternative phrases such as "request permission" or "seek approval" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request permission

This alternative is a more concise way of expressing the act of asking for authorisation, focusing on the core action of seeking permission.

seek approval

This alternative emphasizes the desired outcome of the request, which is to obtain approval for a particular action or decision.

apply for authorization

This alternative highlights the formal process of submitting a request for authorisation, often involving specific procedures or documentation.

obtain clearance

This alternative suggests a need to get past some obstacle or restriction by being granted authorisation.

get the go-ahead

This alternative is an informal way of saying "ask for authorisation", implying that the action requires someone's explicit consent.

solicit consent

This alternative suggests a more formal or legal context where authorisation is needed.

seek the green light

This alternative is a more idiomatic way of asking for authorisation, indicating that the action needs to be approved to proceed.

request sanction

This alternative implies that the authorisation is related to imposing a penalty or a directive, often used in legal or formal contexts.

inquire about authorization

This alternative is a more polite way of "ask for authorisation", often used in professional settings.

file for permission

This alternative suggests a formal and documented process of requesting authorisation, often involving the submission of an application.

FAQs

What's the difference between asking for authorisation and "requesting permission"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Ask for authorisation" is perhaps more formal and often implies a structured process, whereas "requesting permission" is a more general term.

How do I use "ask for authorisation" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for authorisation" when you need permission or approval to proceed with something. For example, "Before starting the project, you must ask for authorisation from the manager."

What can I say instead of "ask for authorisation" in a formal setting?

In a formal context, you might use phrases like "seek approval", "apply for authorization", or "obtain clearance".

When is it necessary to "ask for authorisation"?

It's necessary to "ask for authorisation" whenever you need formal approval or permission to undertake an action or access resources that are not freely available or require oversight.