seek approval for

USAGE SUMMARY

'seek approval for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to give permission for something. For example, "I'm seeking approval for my research project from the university board of trustees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

The Economist

All territories, he said, must seek approval for official borrowing above a threshold.

The Economist

Ben van Beurden said that Shell would seek approval for the deal from shareholders.

Independent

This week, the consortium will seek approval for 392 high-end flats overlooking Canary Wharf.

The Guardian - Business

Another company, the World Heart Corporation, will seek approval for a similar device.

The New York Times - Science

Because Congress chartered the school, the Army had to seek approval for its changes.

The New York Times

Merck has told investors that it intends to seek approval for the new doses next year.

The New Yorker

One result would be a requirement that property owners seek approval for external alterations to their buildings.

The New York Times

They must also go back to the European Commission, which adjudicates antitrust matters, and seek approval for the latest bailout.

The New York Times

The case was settled when the city agreed to seek approval for the yardarms or to remove them.

The New York Times

After the Levinson inquiry, the CIA handed down orders requiring analysts to seek approval for nearly any conversation with outsiders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business contexts, specify who you are seeking approval from and the criteria they will use to evaluate your request.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "seek approval for" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ask for permission" or "get the go-ahead" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek approval for" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of requesting permission or authorization for a specific purpose or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek approval for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the action of requesting permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. While "seek approval for" is widely accepted, remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required, as overuse in informal settings might sound unnatural. When a more casual tone is suitable, alternatives like "ask for permission" or "get the go-ahead" may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request permission for

Focuses on the act of asking for permission, highlighting the procedural aspect.

look for consent regarding

Highlights the act of seeking agreement or permission, focusing on the affirmative response.

solicit authorization for

Emphasizes a more formal or official request for authorization.

obtain clearance for

Suggests a process of clearing obstacles or fulfilling requirements to gain approval.

get the go-ahead for

A more informal expression indicating the need for a positive signal to proceed.

ask for the green light on

Informal expression indicating the need for a positive signal to proceed.

secure endorsement for

Highlights the aspect of gaining support or backing for a proposal or action.

pursue ratification of

Focuses on formal confirmation or validation of an agreement or decision.

apply for sanction regarding

Emphasizes seeking official penalty or allowance regarding an action.

canvass backing regarding

Underscores the act of actively gathering support or advocacy for a proposal.

FAQs

What does "seek approval for" mean?

The phrase "seek approval for" means to ask for and attempt to obtain official permission or endorsement for something, such as a project, plan, or action.

How to use "seek approval for" in a sentence?

You can use "seek approval for" to indicate the action of requesting official permission. For example: "The company must "request permission for" the merger from the regulatory board."

What can I say instead of "seek approval for"?

You can use alternatives like ""request permission for"", "get the go-ahead for", or "obtain clearance for" depending on the context.

Is "seeking approval for" the same as "getting approval for"?

"Seeking approval for" describes the action of asking for permission, while "getting approval for" describes the successful outcome of having received that permission. Therefore, the former refers to requesting, and the latter refers to receiving.