seek authority from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek authority from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to ask for permission or approval from someone in a position of power or authority. Example: Before making any major changes to company policies, it is important to seek authority from the CEO.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In a recent article in The Arizona Republic, he said he would seek authority from the Legislature to allow state monitoring of teachers' fluency in English.

The New York Times

Take-Two, based in New York, said in a filing with regulators that on Aug. 9 the S.E.C. notified it that its lawyers intended to seek authority from the commission to press civil charges and seek monetary damages.

The New York Times - Tech

A22 Penalizing Medical Lapses The Clinton administration said it would seek authority from Congress to levy fines of up to $250,000 on scientists who violate federal human research rules, and $1 million on the universities that employ them.

The New York Times

Nearly 170 Jewish scholars and rabbis released a statement last month asserting that "Jews and Christians worship the same God," "seek authority from the same book -- the Bible," and "accept the moral principles of Torah".

The New York Times

The document also claims major commonalities between the faiths, saying that Jews and Christians worship the same God; seek authority from the same book, the Old Testament; and accept the moral principles of the Torah.

The New York Times

Responding to widely publicized lapses in medical experiments, the Clinton administration announced today that it would seek authority from Congress to levy fines of up to $250,000 on scientists who violate federal rules for human research and $1 million on the universities that employ them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They included seeking authority from Congress to negotiate international trade agreements.

The New York Times

Earlier this year the county executive sought authority from Albany to raise gun license fees above $10, the amount mandated by the state, eliciting the wrath of the Westchester County Firearms Owners Association, based in Rye Brook, which did not return calls seeking comment.

The New York Times

He is seeking authority from Congress to negotiate broad trade accords -- including a Free Trade Area of the Americas -- under which Congress could approve or reject, but not amend, any agreement.

The New York Times

Lawyers at the bureau's headquarters, who reviewed the available information, including the flight school information and the French intelligence cable, refused to take the request to the Justice Department, a first step before seeking authority from a special court, which issues warrants under the surveillance act.

The New York Times

In pursuit of which, she is seeking authority from the Scottish Parliament.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing between "seek authority from" and synonyms like "request permission from" or "obtain approval from". The subtle differences can impact the tone and formality of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the wrong preposition after "authority". The correct construction is "seek authority from", not "seek authority of" or "seek authority by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek authority from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of requesting or attempting to gain official permission or approval from a specific entity. Ludwig provides examples showing this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek authority from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes the act of requesting permission or approval from a governing body or individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It is most often found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, highlighting its relevance in formal communication and reporting. When employing this phrase, remember to clearly identify the source from which authority is being sought to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "request permission from" or "obtain approval from" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request permission from

Emphasizes the act of asking for explicit permission.

obtain approval from

Focuses on getting official approval or endorsement.

gain authorization from

Highlights the process of acquiring official authorization.

secure consent from

Stresses the need to get agreement or consent.

get the go-ahead from

An informal way of saying to receive permission to proceed.

solicit endorsement from

Implies actively seeking support or approval.

appeal to

Involves making a formal request or plea to someone in charge.

defer to

Indicates yielding to someone else's judgment or authority.

consult with

Focuses on seeking advice or guidance before acting.

get clearance from

Emphasizes receiving official sanction or permission.

FAQs

How can I use "seek authority from" in a sentence?

Use "seek authority from" to describe the act of asking for permission or approval from a person or body in a position of power. For example, "The researcher had to "seek authority from" the ethics committee before conducting the study".

What does "seek authority from" mean?

The phrase "seek authority from" means to formally request permission, approval, or endorsement from an entity that has the power to grant it.

What can I say instead of "seek authority from"?

You can use alternatives like "request permission from", "obtain approval from", or "gain authorization from" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "seek authority from" or "obtain authority from"?

"Seek authority from" implies the act of asking or trying to get authority, while "obtain authority from" suggests that the authority has already been granted. The choice depends on whether you are in the process of requesting or have already received the necessary approval.