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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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sought approval for

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"sought approval for" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
The phrase has the same meaning as "sought permission to" or "sought permission for." Example: She sought approval for starting the project from her manager.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The company first sought approval for Ketek in February 2000.

Mr. Giddens sought approval for his legal fees through February.

News & Media

The New York Times

The company sought approval for the project from the Canadian authorities last month.

News & Media

The Guardian

Auxilium sought approval for treating Dupuytren's first because it was easier to measure success in straightening fingers.

News & Media

The New York Times

In 2007, Edwards Lifesciences of California sought approval for the Aquarius system, a dialysis machine that an agency reviewer noted had the same problem.

Rather than seek a loan from baseball — Selig approved a $25 million loan to the Mets in November — McCourt said he had sought approval for the Fox deal.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Albany has approved the county's request seeking approval for the tax.

News & Media

The New York Times

Pre-Kote is approved for use on all Air Force bases, and Pantheon is seeking approval for Navy planes and ships as well.

News & Media

Forbes

Triangle is seeking approval for its own AIDS drug.

News & Media

The New York Times

Ranbaxy Laboratories is seeking approval for another, but Ranbaxy has been under federal scrutiny.

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

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past actions, ensure the tense is consistent. For example, "The company submitted the proposal and sought approval for the project" maintains a clear and professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions like "sought approval of" or "sought approval from" when describing the object needing approval. "Sought approval for" is the standard and grammatically correct form.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought approval for" functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating that an individual or entity has actively pursued and requested formal authorization or permission for a specific action or plan. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

26%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought approval for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to describe the act of formally requesting permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is deemed correct. Its usage spans diverse contexts, notably News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, denoting its broad applicability. When using the phrase, it's crucial to maintain consistent tense and adhere to the correct preposition ("for"). While alternatives exist, such as "requested authorization for", "applied for permission to", or "petitioned for acceptance of", "sought approval for" retains a formal tone suited for professional and neutral environments.

FAQs

How is "sought approval for" used in a sentence?

Use "sought approval for" to indicate that someone formally requested permission or authorization. For example, "The researcher "sought approval for" their study from the ethics committee."

What phrases are similar to "sought approval for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "requested authorization for", "applied for permission to", or "petitioned for acceptance of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "sought approval of" instead of "sought approval for"?

While understandable, "sought approval of" is less common and grammatically not as standard as ""sought approval for"". The latter is the preferred construction.

What's the difference between "sought approval for" and "requested permission for"?

The phrases are very similar, but ""sought approval for"" often implies a more formal or official process than "requested permission for", which can be more general.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: