ask your permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask your permission" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when seeking consent or approval from someone before proceeding with an action. Example: "Before I proceed with the project, I would like to ask your permission to make some changes to the original plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We explain that this is your personal space and that people should ask your permission to come closer".

The Guardian

It might even find your design so good that it would ask your permission to add it to its inventory.

Harvard Business Review

I said to her father, "I want to ask your permission to marry your daughter and I'm hoping for your blessing".

The New York Times

DR. STAHMER: Mr. President, before calling my third witness, Lieutenant General Oberhauser, may I ask your permission to make the following remarks?

Yale University

"The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is arranging a show of my work and I would like to ask your permission to display a photograph of Lorna which I took of her in Sunshine Park in 1963," Arbus wrote.

The New Yorker

"I feel it was — how do you say? — if you write a 200-page book, and someone takes 50 pages of your book and just puts it somewhere else, and they don't even credit you, they don't even ask your permission," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I wasn't asking your permission".

The New Yorker

And you won't have been asked your permission to share.

The Guardian

Facebook and Twitter have already come under fire for the decision to stream videos without asking your permission.

Independent

FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBUHLER: But I am asking your permission to put two or three questions to this witness.

Yale University

If you've said "no" to an app upon first launch when it asks your permission to send push notifications, then you basically agree.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting permission, be specific about what you are asking permission for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not assume that silence or lack of explicit denial implies permission. Always seek explicit consent to avoid misunderstandings or ethical breaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask your permission" functions as an illocutionary act requesting approval or consent. As supported by Ludwig, it directly seeks authorization from the person addressed. The phrase is commonly used to ensure that one's actions are aligned with another's preferences or rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask your permission" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for requesting consent or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, its communicative purpose is to seek authorization, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts like news, wiki articles, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure you are specific about what you're seeking permission for and avoid assuming implied consent. Related phrases include "request your consent" and "seek your authorization", which offer more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request your consent

A more formal and direct way to ask for agreement.

obtain your approval

Emphasizes getting a positive decision.

seek your authorization

Formal alternative focusing on official endorsement.

ask for your authorization

Formal variant to request explicit approval.

secure your okay

Informal and straightforward request for agreement.

get the go-ahead from you

Informal and focuses on receiving clearance.

solicit your agreement

Formal and emphasizes the act of seeking agreement.

gain your assent

A formal and less common way to seek agreement.

have your blessing

Implies seeking approval with a hint of favor or support.

check with you first

Highlights the act of verifying before proceeding.

FAQs

How do I politely "ask your permission" in an email?

You can phrase it as, "I am writing to "request your permission" to..." or "Before proceeding, I wanted to "ask for your approval" regarding...". Be clear and concise in your request.

What's a formal alternative to "ask your permission"?

A formal alternative is to "seek your authorization" or "request your consent". These phrases are appropriate for professional or academic settings.

When is it necessary to "ask your permission"?

It's necessary to "ask your permission" when you're about to use someone's intellectual property, enter their personal space, or make changes that affect them directly. Respecting boundaries and seeking consent is key.

What's the difference between "ask your permission" and "inform someone"?

"Ask your permission" implies seeking consent before acting. "Inform someone" simply means letting them know what you're doing, without necessarily requiring their approval. The former respects autonomy; the latter is purely informational.