seeking your approval

USAGE SUMMARY

"seeking your approval" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone if they will approve of something. For example, "I'm seeking your approval on my new project plan before I move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Because Roth's markup is scheduled for Wednesday, N.S.C. is seeking your approval before you leave for Egypt.

The New York Times

Either set specific deadlines for recording, editing, and documentary submission or ask students to create their own production schedules and (after seeking your approval) carry them out.

The New York Times

Or seeking your approval.

Huffington Post

One day they won't be constantly seeking your approval.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

One involves discreetly undermining a woman's self-esteem by paying her a backhanded compliment in the hope that she will hang around to seek your approval.

The Guardian - Books

It was full of terminology: "negs" (comments designed to subtly reduce a woman's self-esteem so that she seeks your approval); "HB10s" (hot babe or hard body 10/10); "F-closing" (getting a girl into bed).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The attached Lake/Tyson memo seeks your approval of an interagency consensus on three export control issues, whose resolution will pave the way for a new Export Administration Act, completing your agenda for export control reform.

The New York Times

It may be that the White House is offering Congress a deal: we will seek your approval and offer detailed explanations in exchange for a resolution that does not tie our hands.Lastly, there may be some hope that America and its allies are not as divided as they sometimes seem.

The Economist

When you begin using the service, Plaxo will automatically alert you every time it finds more current data and seek your approval.

TechCrunch

I don't share these stories with you to seek your approval.

Huffington Post

Apparently, seeking your mother's approval is not something forever laid to rest when she is.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be polite and respectful when "seeking your approval". Tone and framing are important, especially in professional settings.

Common error

Don't assume silence or lack of explicit disapproval means you have approval. Always confirm explicitly, especially in formal settings where "seeking your approval" is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking your approval" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of asking someone for their consent or agreement. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, which validates its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seeking your approval" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for requesting consent or agreement. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples across various contexts, including news, academic and general writing. While versatile, it is important to consider the level of formality required and adjust your language accordingly, perhaps opting for alternatives such as "requesting your endorsement" in more formal situations. Always explicitly confirm approval and provide ample context to prevent misunderstandings. Depending on the context you might also need to consider options like "seeking your permission" and remember to use the most appropriate of the two given the nuances of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtaining your permission

Replaces 'seeking approval' with 'obtaining your permission', highlighting the act of getting formal consent.

awaiting your consent

Uses 'consent' instead of 'approval', implying agreement or permission for something.

asking for your authorization

Substitutes 'approval' with 'authorization', suggesting a formal permission.

needing your sign-off

Replaces 'approval' with 'sign-off', implying a formal acknowledgement and agreement.

requiring your validation

Replaces 'approval' with 'validation', focusing on confirmation and support.

requesting your endorsement

Replaces 'approval' with 'endorsement', implying a more formal or public support.

looking for your go-ahead

Replaces 'seeking approval' with 'looking for your go-ahead', indicating permission to proceed.

desiring your agreement

Replaces 'seeking approval' with 'desiring agreement', focusing on mutual understanding and accord.

soliciting your blessing

Substitutes 'approval' with 'blessing', suggesting a more favorable or positive endorsement.

wanting your okay

Substitutes 'approval' with the more informal 'okay'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seeking your approval" in a professional context?

In a professional setting, you can use more formal alternatives such as "requesting your endorsement", "asking for your authorization", or "awaiting your consent" to convey a similar meaning with greater formality.

What's the difference between "seeking your approval" and "seeking your permission"?

"Seeking your approval" generally implies you're looking for a positive assessment or agreement, while "seeking your permission" suggests you need formal consent to proceed with something. The former is broader and the latter is more specific and often required.

Is it ever appropriate to use "seeking your approval" in an informal setting?

Yes, "seeking your approval" can be used informally, especially when asking for a friend's or family member's opinion or agreement. However, consider using less formal alternatives like "wanting your okay" or "looking for your go-ahead" for a more relaxed tone.

What are common mistakes to avoid when "seeking your approval"?

A common mistake is assuming approval when it hasn't been explicitly given. Always ensure you receive a clear confirmation. Also, failing to provide enough context or information can lead to misunderstandings and potentially a denial of approval.