seek clearance from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seek clearance from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need permission, authorization, or approval from a higher authority. For example, "We need to seek clearance from our supervisor before we can proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

At no time, the investigators found, did Ms. Lam seek clearance from the city's Conflicts of Interest Board.

The New York Times

An early rejection led the group to seek clearance from regulators in Europe and America for a formal bid.

The Economist

Rivera said he would seek clearance from the Yankees to see Andrews, but General Manager Brian Cashman said that was not necessary.

The New York Times - Sports

And if you want to sell a piece, you must seek clearance from the AP if you are incorporating their work into yours.

Columbia University

He said he would seek clearance from the Federal Trade Commission to acquire a stake of about $2.5 billion in Yahoo, which would be about 6percentt of the company.

The New York Times - Tech

Many other youngsters seek clearance from personal physicians, who may or may not know what questions to ask, what to check, and which children need more tests or referrals to specialists.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Obstacles to the plans included seeking clearance from state and federal agencies, said Edward Sheeran, the mayor's special assistant for economic development.

The New York Times

But because the code provisions were arguably anti-competitive, the group first sought clearance from the Justice Department, which promptly passed them off to the Federal Trade Commission.

The New York Times

One of the main disputes is whether the Americans sought clearance from Pakistan before launching the airstrikes, and whether they gave the Pakistanis the right coordinates.

The New York Times

The Ivorian federation (FIF) said it had sought clearance from football's world governing body Fifa before adding Toure to a 21-man squad named earlier in the week.

BBC

He took the role so seriously that he even sought clearance from a Michigan Air National Guard base to fly his sleigh in US airspace on Christmas Eve.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider whether a more specific term like "authorization" or "approval" might be more appropriate than the general term "clearance".

Common error

Avoid using "seek clearance from" in contexts where "permission" is more fitting. "Clearance" often implies a formal process involving assessment or vetting, while "permission" can be a simpler request for authorization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek clearance from" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of requesting or attempting to obtain authorization, approval, or permission from a designated authority. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a standard and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek clearance from" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe the act of requesting permission or approval from an authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correctness and usability are well-established in the English language. It finds its primary usage in news, academic, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "request authorization from" or "obtain approval from" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure clarity in identifying the granting authority to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek authorization from

Similar to "request authorization", but maintains the "seek" phrasing.

request authorization from

Replaces "clearance" with "authorization", implying a more formal request.

obtain approval from

Focuses on the act of receiving approval rather than the seeking process.

apply for approval from

Emphasizes the process of applying, which can involve more steps than simply seeking.

ask permission from

Uses a more direct and informal term, "permission", instead of "clearance".

get the go-ahead from

An idiomatic expression indicating receiving permission to proceed.

get sign-off from

Implies that an official approval in the form of a signature is required.

consult with authorities

Indicates a more general consultation process, rather than a specific request for clearance.

touch base with

Informal way of saying 'consult with' someone with authority.

defer to

Suggests submitting decision making to a higher source.

FAQs

How to use "seek clearance from" in a sentence?

You can use "seek clearance from" to indicate the act of requesting permission or approval from an authority. For example, "Researchers must "seek clearance from" the ethics committee before conducting any study involving human subjects."

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

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

Which is correct, "seek clearance from" or "seek permission from"?

Both are correct, but "seek clearance from" typically implies a more formal process than "seek permission from". The choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the approval being sought.

What's the difference between "seek clearance from" and "obtain clearance from"?

"Seek clearance from" describes the act of requesting or trying to get clearance. "Obtain clearance from" indicates that the clearance has already been successfully acquired.