authority sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authority sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is requesting or looking for permission, approval, or guidance from a person or organization in a position of power or expertise. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, we must ensure that the necessary authority sought has been obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Ms. Berliner helped represent Vera Coking, the elderly widow whose house on Columbia Place was one of the properties that the authority sought to seize.

The New York Times

The deal clears the way for Senate approval, perhaps as early as next week, of new trade negotiating authority sought by President Bush.

The New York Times

The Experimenter stars Peter Sarsgaard as Stanley Milgram, whose investigation into obedience to malevolent authority sought to answer troubling questions about Nazism.

The Guardian - Film

It was then covered up again while the antiquities authority sought financing to carry out the necessary conservation work and to build appropriate facilities at the site.

The New York Times

The Q74 bus is no more — the Metropolitan Transportation Authority eliminated it and others in June, as the authority sought to help close a budget gap approaching $800 million.

The New York Times

In June 2007, the housing authority sought to increase security at its complexes by installing a trespass program that denied access to anyone arrested for a felony drug offense on housing authority property, or immediately adjacent to it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But directors will certainly want to retain final authority, seeking guidance but surrendering nothing.

Harvard Business Review

The launch authority seeks to dispatch MEDEVAC assets such that prioritized battlefield casualties are transported quickly and efficiently to nearby medical treatment facilities.

European Journal of Operational Research

George Raad's childhood friend Ahmed Amr, a senior official in the authority, seeks to make Raad a spokesman for their cause.

The New York Times - Books

More than 400 jobs could be lost at Bury Council as the authority seeks to save £28m over the next four years.

BBC

Because if you as a person of authority seeks to persuade directly, you may fail.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "authority sought", ensure that it's clear who is seeking the authority and from whom. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "authority sought" when the situation involves merely informing someone, rather than requiring their approval or permission. Use it specifically when a decision-making power is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authority sought" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or object in sentences. It describes the object of an action, such as requesting, requiring, or obtaining permission, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "authority sought" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to convey the need for or the act of requesting official permission. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating its formal register. To enhance clarity, always specify who is seeking the authority and from whom. While alternatives like "permission requested" or "approval needed" exist, "authority sought" carries a distinctive nuance of formality and procedural compliance. Therefore, writers should use the phrase in situations where a formal decision-making power is explicitly involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permission requested

Emphasizes the act of asking for authorization.

approval needed

Highlights the necessity of getting a positive affirmation.

authorization required

Stresses that a formal permission is a must.

consent requested

Focuses on gaining agreement or assent.

power desired

Indicates an aspiration for control or influence.

mandate needed

Implies a requirement for an official command or instruction.

green light pursued

Metaphorically indicates that permission to proceed is actively looked for.

endorsement sought

Stresses the need for a positive declaration of support.

license requested

Highlights the necessity for a formal permission to perform a specified activity.

clearance required

Indicates a formal approval to access certain information or areas is needed.

FAQs

How can I use "authority sought" in a sentence?

You can use "authority sought" to describe the act of requesting or needing permission. For example, "The company delayed the project until the necessary authority sought from the board was granted."

What can I say instead of "authority sought"?

You can use alternatives like "permission requested", "approval needed", or "authorization required" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "authority sought" or "authorities sought"?

"Authority sought" (singular) refers to the abstract concept of needing permission. "Authorities sought" refers to the specific entities from whom permission is needed. The better choice depends on your intended meaning.

What is the difference between "authority sought" and "power desired"?

"Authority sought" typically implies a formal process of requesting permission. "Power desired" suggests a broader aspiration for control or influence, which may not necessarily involve a formal request.