Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
authorisation is sought
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "authorisation is sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or official requests, to indicate that permission or approval is being requested. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, authorisation is sought from the board of directors."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
In the case of the woman who brought Thursday's challenge no such authorisation was sought despite the fact she was held for a total of 28 hours.
News & Media
The Duke of Buckingham was enthusiastic and authorisation was sought from Parliament.
Wiki
May's report found that Ripa did not "provide adequate safeguards to protect journalistic sources" and recommended that "judicial authorisation is obtained in cases where communications data is sought to determine the source of journalistic information".
News & Media
The person granting the authorisation may only do so if he/she considers that the authorisation is necessary in the interests of national security, for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime or in the interests of the economic well-being of the country, and that the surveillance is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by it.
News & Media
His sole achievement, it would appear, was persuading him – even as the "day-after scenario" was falling apart – that UN authorisation should be sought for post-invasion operations.
News & Media
Retrospective ministerial authorisation was being sought as The Economist went to press.Legally or not, the Home Office will be able to hang on to its report for now because the FOI act takes so long to enforce.
News & Media
On release from a further period of house arrest in 2002, she was allowed to travel outside Rangoon, but only once prior authorisation had been sought from the regime.
News & Media
The resulting relationship can be used to provide input to the assessment of new active compounds for which orphan drug authorisation is being sought.
Science
Thomson is seeking authorisation from the City regulator, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Financial Conduct Authority to set up Atom as a digital bank without branches.
News & Media
What is perhaps most surprising about this is that the Obama administration is seeking authorisation for a rather limited use of force.
News & Media
The contours of the exception indeed show quite substantial differences in national legal orders, pertaining first to the question of the acts for which authorisation might not be sought (covering either research on, or extending up to research with, the innovation), while taking the researcher's purpose into account.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "authorisation is sought", ensure the context is formal and requires a passive voice to maintain objectivity. For example, in legal or official documentation, this phrase indicates a formal request without specifying the actor.
Common error
Avoid using "authorisation is sought" in informal or casual writing. The phrase is highly formal and can sound stilted in everyday conversation or less formal communications. Opt for simpler alternatives like "permission is needed" or "we need approval" in such cases.
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "authorisation is sought" functions as a passive construction, indicating that permission or approval is being requested. It emphasizes the action of seeking authorization rather than the actor performing the action. This construction is frequently used in formal contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
34%
Science
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "authorisation is sought" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to formally indicate a request for permission or approval. According to Ludwig AI, its use is most appropriate in formal contexts, such as legal documents or official communications. While the phrase is technically sound, it is relatively infrequent; therefore, alternatives like "permission is needed" or "approval is requested" may be more suitable in less formal settings. The choice between "authorisation" (British English) and "authorization" (American English) depends on the intended audience.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
authorization is required
A more direct and formal synonym, emphasizing the necessity of authorization.
approval is requested
Focuses on the act of requesting approval, emphasizing the initiative of the requester.
permission is needed
Highlights the necessity of obtaining permission, indicating a requirement for authorization.
clearance is required
Emphasizes the formal aspect of needing clearance, often used in security or regulated contexts.
consent is necessary
Focuses on the need for consent, implying agreement or assent from an authority.
sanction is needed
Implies a need for official approval or endorsement, often in the context of regulations or rules.
a request for authorization is made
Highlights the action of making a formal request, emphasizing the process.
official endorsement is sought
Emphasizes the pursuit of official endorsement, indicating a desire for formal support.
agreement is pursued
Focuses on the pursuit of an agreement, implying a negotiation or consensus-building process.
a license is being applied for
Specifies the act of applying for a license, highlighting the formal application process.
FAQs
What does "authorisation is sought" mean?
The phrase "authorisation is sought" means that permission or approval is being formally requested from an authority or governing body. It's often used in official or legal contexts.
How can I use "authorisation is sought" in a sentence?
Use "authorisation is sought" in formal writing when you want to indicate that permission is being requested in a passive and objective manner. For example: "Before proceeding with the project, "authorisation is sought" from the regulatory board."
What can I say instead of "authorisation is sought"?
You can use alternatives such as "permission is needed", "approval is requested", or "authorization is required" depending on the context.
Which is correct: "authorisation is sought" or "authorization is sought"?
Both spellings are correct, but "authorisation" is the British English spelling, while "authorization" is the American English spelling. The choice depends on the target audience and regional conventions.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested