obtained permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'obtained permission' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain that you did something with permission or approval from someone else. For example, "I obtained permission from my supervisor to take the day off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He appeared in court looking disheveled and obtained permission to address the judge.

The New York Times

Before his visit in August of 2011, he obtained permission from the Iranian government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Three months later, he obtained permission to test psychochemicals at the arsenal itself.

The New Yorker

(The scientists have obtained permission from patients to permit ticks to feed on them).

The New Yorker

We need to consider the judgment carefully, and have obtained permission to appeal".

The Guardian

The effort proved so successful that, last year, Neville obtained permission to create the dedicated unit.

The New Yorker

Institute of Anthropology, obtained permission from Mr. Nacinovich to begin excavating the site in 1988.

The New Yorker

Tsering obtained permission for me to spend a night at the monastery, and I stayed in his cell with him.

The New Yorker

Before shooting, DiCenzo obtained permission from the patients and doctors she photographed, who welcomed her efforts to document their struggle.

The New Yorker

Ahmet Durantas, who worked for the company in Turkey, obtained permission to open a franchise in New York.

The New York Times

The American Express Company has obtained permission to operate a federally insured savings bank specializing in trust services.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a formal process where approval is required, use "obtained permission" to clearly state that the necessary authorization was acquired before proceeding.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "obtained permission" covers all aspects of an activity. Be specific about what the permission covers to prevent misunderstandings or overstepping boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtained permission" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of receiving authorization to perform something. Ludwig AI shows it's often used to describe formal approvals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

10%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obtained permission" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that authorization has been secured before undertaking an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various formal contexts. As Ludwig examples show, it is most frequently found in news and media and scientific publications, indicating its role in describing processes that require official approval. Alternatives such as "secured authorization" or "received approval" can be used to vary wording. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the scope of permission to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received approval

Focuses on the act of getting approved, without highlighting the effort to obtain it.

gained approval

Similar to received approval, focusing on the act of gaining.

was granted consent

Emphasizes that permission was given by someone else.

secured authorization

Implies a more formal or official process of getting approval.

acquired consent

Highlights the process of actively getting permission.

got clearance

Focuses on receiving official authorization.

had leave to

Indicates that permission to do something was formally given.

procured agreement

Suggests a formal agreement was necessary for permission.

got the green light

An informal way of saying permission was granted.

cleared with

Indicates a necessary step of seeking permission from someone in authority.

FAQs

How do I use "obtained permission" in a sentence?

You can use "obtained permission" to indicate that someone received authorization before performing an action. For instance, "The researcher "obtained permission" from the ethics committee before starting the study".

What is a more formal synonym for "obtained permission"?

A more formal synonym for "obtained permission" is "secured authorization". This implies a more official or rigorous process of gaining approval.

Is it redundant to say "obtained prior permission"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "obtained prior permission" can be redundant. The word "obtained" already implies that the permission was received before the action took place. You can simply say ""obtained permission"".

What's the difference between "obtained permission" and "received consent"?

"Obtained permission" typically refers to a formal process of seeking approval, while "received consent" often implies agreement from a person or group. Both indicate authorization, but the context and formality differ. You can use "was granted consent" as alternative to "received consent".