asked for permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked for permission" is correct in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone obtaining the approval or consent of another person before doing something. For example, "The student asked for permission to leave the classroom early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nobody's asked for permission".

The New York Times - Sports

Moreover, you weren't even asked for permission.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We had asked for permission," Mangini said.

The New York Times - Sports

"No one asked for permission to smoke".

The New York Times

You have asked for permission, so we gave the permission.

The New York Times

They approached him and asked for permission to use his seeds.

The New York Times

Spain, for instance, initially asked for permission to lavish €300m on carmakers.

The Economist

He asked for permission to approach and assist, and received it.

The New York Times

At 16, John asked for permission to attend a wilderness camp.

The New York Times - Sports

Pakistan was outraged its authorities were not warned of the raid, let alone asked for permission.

The Economist

In defense of his uncle, Mr. Yadav politely asked for permission to speak in Hindi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "asked for permission", clearly state who requested the permission and from whom it was requested to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The student asked the teacher for permission to leave early."

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with plural subjects when describing multiple instances of asking for permission. For example, it's incorrect to say "They asks for permission" when the correct form is "They ask for permission".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked for permission" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request for authorization or consent. Ludwig examples show it used to describe scenarios ranging from simple requests to formal procedures. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

26%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked for permission" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the act of requesting authorization before undertaking an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. As shown by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific publications, reflecting its versatility. While alternatives such as "sought authorization" or "requested consent" exist, the best choice depends on the desired level of formality. Understanding the nuances and contexts in which to use "asked for permission" is key to clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested consent

Substitutes "asked" with "requested", a more formal synonym, and "permission" with "consent", implying agreement.

sought authorization

Replaces "asked" with the more formal "sought" and uses the noun "authorization" instead of "permission".

applied for authorization

A formal alternative indicating a structured process to gain permission.

secured approval

Similar to "obtained clearance", this emphasizes the successful acquisition of the required authorization.

obtained clearance

Implies that permission was not just asked for, but also received; suitable for scenarios needing formal approval.

sought approval beforehand

Emphasizes that the request for approval happened in advance of an action.

petitioned for leave

Applies mainly when requesting time off or an exception to standard rules.

inquired about consent

Focuses on the act of inquiring whether consent is needed, not directly asking for it.

checked for authorization

Focuses on verifying if authorization exists rather than requesting permission directly.

cleared it with

An informal way of saying permission was obtained, suggesting a quick or simple approval process.

FAQs

How can I use "asked for permission" in a sentence?

You can use "asked for permission" to describe the act of seeking approval or consent before doing something. For instance, "Before entering the restricted area, she "asked for permission" from the security guard."

What are some alternatives to "asked for permission"?

Some alternatives include "requested consent", "sought authorization", or "obtained clearance", depending on the level of formality and the context.

Is it always necessary to use "asked for permission" literally, or can it be implied?

While explicitly stating that someone "asked for permission" clarifies the situation, it can sometimes be implied through context. However, for legal or formal scenarios, it's best to be explicit to avoid misunderstandings.

What's the difference between "asked for permission" and "demanded access"?

"Asked for permission" indicates a polite request, whereas "demanded access" implies a forceful or assertive claim to enter or use something, without necessarily seeking approval. The difference lies in the tone and the perceived right to the access or action.