seek assent

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek assent" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to ask someone for permission, approval, or agreement. For example: "We will proceed with the project only if we can seek assent from the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We will therefore seek assent from the girls themselves and consent from a parent.

BMJ Open

We often seek assent from families for procedures and to provide some history as a surrogate to patient interview.

Critical Care

As a part of the local requirements we have to seek assent from these children in addition to their parent's consent.

BMC Medical Ethics

We will consult and seek assent from the carers and any other relevant people as defined by section 32 of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) code of practice.

BMC Palliative Care

Field workers have found it uncomfortable to seek assent from these them once their parents have consented, as it is deemed culturally inappropriate to go against their parents' wishes.

BMC Medical Ethics

26 Attempts were made to include children in our study; however, child's assent was rarely sought in CATCH, which practitioners attributed to there being insufficient time to seek assent or that the children were too young or still sedated for discussions prior to discharge.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Argumentation, whether it be called rhetorical or dialectical, always aims at persuading or convincing the audience to whom it is addressed of the value of the theses for which it seeks assent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For participants aged 12 17, parental consent was obtained prior to seeking assent from the adolescent.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Each hospital held internal discussion after which the study team sought assent regarding the hospital's participation in the study.

BMC Health Services Research

The UK's Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health guidelines, suggest that investigators should consider seeking assent from school going children [ 2].

BMC Medical Ethics

A large body of literature articulates the ethical and legal imperatives for seeking assent and consent from children [ 18- 20].

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In ethical and legal contexts, use "seek assent" to highlight the importance of obtaining voluntary agreement, especially from individuals who may not have the full legal capacity to give consent.

Common error

Avoid using "seek assent" when "seek consent" is more appropriate. "Assent" is often used when the individual cannot give full legal consent, such as with minors in research. "Consent" implies full legal capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek assent" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of requesting or attempting to obtain agreement or approval. It is frequently used in contexts where formal permission is needed but the individual providing it might have limited capacity, as Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek assent" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that means to request or attempt to obtain agreement or approval. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is particularly common in formal contexts, such as science and medical ethics, where obtaining informed agreement is crucial, especially from those who may not have full legal capacity. The phrase implies a respectful and ethical approach to decision-making, aligning with established guidelines. While not as frequently used as simpler alternatives like "seek approval", its precise meaning makes it valuable in specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek approval

Replaces "assent" with "approval", indicating a more general form of agreement.

seek agreement

Focuses on reaching a mutual understanding or accord.

request permission

Emphasizes the act of asking for authorization to proceed.

obtain consent

Highlights the process of getting formal agreement, often in legal or ethical contexts.

solicit authorization

Uses more formal language to describe the act of seeking official approval.

pursue concurrence

Emphasizes the need to align opinions or decisions.

ask for endorsement

Focuses on obtaining support or backing for a particular action or idea.

canvass for agreement

Suggests a more active and thorough effort to gather agreement.

get the go-ahead

Offers a more informal way to express receiving permission to start something.

seek the green light

Implies seeking clearance or permission to proceed with a plan.

FAQs

How is "seek assent" used in research ethics?

In research ethics, "seek assent" typically refers to obtaining a minor's agreement to participate in a study, in addition to parental or guardian "consent".

What does it mean to "seek assent" in a legal context?

In a legal context, "seek assent" can mean obtaining agreement or approval, especially in situations where full "permission" is not legally required but is ethically desirable.

When should I use "seek assent" instead of "seek consent"?

Use "seek assent" when referring to obtaining agreement from someone who may not have the legal capacity to give full "consent", such as a child or someone with diminished cognitive abilities. Otherwise, "request permission" or "seek approval" is a better option.

What are some alternatives to "seek assent" in formal writing?

In formal writing, alternatives to "seek assent" include ""request permission"", "obtain consent", or "solicit authorization", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.