seek approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek approval" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to requesting agreement or endorsement. For example, "The new marketing plan must be reviewed by the board to seek approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did they seek approval?

The Guardian

He doesn't desperately seek approval.

The Guardian - Film

He didn't seek approval from the city.

The New Yorker

Many require buyers to seek approval from the city government.

The New York Times

And confidence: "I don't really seek approval from anyone".

The New Yorker

They then seek approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships.

The Guardian

Researchers seek approval from regulators for this quicker, easier treatment.

Nature

And it's all done without having to seek approval from another individual.

Independent

The company would have to adhere to this, or seek approval for any change.

The Economist

I don't seek approval, but I wish, at least, to be respected.

The New York Times

Konec now plans to conduct such tests and seek approval as a generic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, provide clear evidence and rationale when "seeking approval" for a hypothesis or research methodology.

Common error

Avoid using "seek approval" in very informal contexts. Instead, opt for more conversational alternatives like "ask for input" or "get the go-ahead" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek approval" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of attempting to obtain agreement, permission, or endorsement from a higher authority or relevant party. The Ludwig examples show its use in diverse scenarios, from regulatory compliance to interpersonal dynamics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science & Research

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek approval" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It denotes the act of requesting permission or endorsement, often in formal settings such as business, science, and news reporting. While predominantly neutral to formal in register, it's crucial to consider context and audience when choosing alternatives for informal communication. Understanding the nuances of "seek approval" and its related phrases allows for more precise and effective communication across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attain approval

Implies successfully reaching a state of being approved, focusing on the outcome.

achieve approval

Similar to "attain approval", it emphasizes the accomplishment of getting approval.

seek concurrence

Focuses on finding agreement or alignment with others' views.

gather approval

Suggests collecting or accumulating approval from multiple sources.

seek endorsement

Implies looking for public support or recommendation.

seek authorization

Specifically refers to obtaining formal permission or sanction.

pursue approval

Highlights the active effort and persistence in trying to get approval.

seek assent

Implies seeking formal agreement or consent.

seek ratification

Focuses on the formal validation or confirmation of something.

seek clearance

Suggests obtaining official permission to proceed, often in a regulated context.

FAQs

How can I use "seek approval" in a sentence?

You can use "seek approval" to indicate the act of requesting permission or endorsement. For example, "The company must "seek approval" from the regulatory authorities before launching the new product."

What are some alternatives to "seek approval"?

Alternatives to "seek approval" include "attain approval", "achieve approval", or "seek concurrence", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "seek approval" or "ask for permission"?

"Seek approval" generally carries a more formal tone compared to "ask for permission". The former is often used in professional or official settings, while the latter is more common in everyday conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "seek endorsement" instead of "seek approval"?

Use "seek endorsement" when you are looking for public support or a positive recommendation, rather than simply permission or agreement. For example, a political candidate might "seek endorsement" from a well-known figure.