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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
sought approval for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(20)
requested authorization for
applied for permission to
petitioned for acceptance of
requested permission for
requested authorization to
applied for admittance for
applied
secured approval
sought approval from
seek permission for
pursued
seek approval for
sought authorisation for
sought admission for
received approval
aimed
sought care for
applied to
request permission for
requested
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
39 human-written examples
The company first sought approval for Ketek in February 2000.
News & Media
Mr. Giddens sought approval for his legal fees through February.
News & Media
The company sought approval for the project from the Canadian authorities last month.
News & Media
Auxilium sought approval for treating Dupuytren's first because it was easier to measure success in straightening fingers.
News & Media
In 2007, Edwards Lifesciences of California sought approval for the Aquarius system, a dialysis machine that an agency reviewer noted had the same problem.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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
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
Triangle is seeking approval for its own AIDS drug.
News & Media
Ranbaxy Laboratories is seeking approval for another, but Ranbaxy has been under federal scrutiny.
News & Media
The company would have to adhere to this, or seek approval for any change.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
requested authorization for
Emphasizes the act of making a formal request for authorization.
applied for permission to
Highlights the submission of an application to gain permission.
looked to gain consent for
Highlights the desire to obtain consent or agreement.
petitioned for acceptance of
Suggests a more formal or earnest request for acceptance.
pursued validation of
Emphasizes the pursuit of formal validation or confirmation.
aimed to secure endorsement for
Focuses on the goal of obtaining endorsement or support.
lobbied for acceptance of
Suggests an attempt to influence decision-makers to grant acceptance.
endeavored to get the green light for
Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the effort to receive clearance.
tried to win ratification of
Focuses on the effort to have something formally ratified or approved.
courted favor for
Implies an attempt to win approval through charm or persuasion.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested