sought approval from

USAGE SUMMARY

"sought approval from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action of seeking permission or consent from someone in a formal or professional context. Example: The project manager sought approval from the board of directors before implementing any changes to the company's policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He sought approval from Tom Freston, Viacom's C.E.O. at the time.

The New Yorker

Westpac sought approval from New Zealand's competition regulator to buy the Lloyds unit, the National Bank.

The New York Times

CAEL has not currently sought approval from specific certification and licensure programs.

Harvard University

Some investors had worried that such a merger would distract U.P.S., especially as it sought approval from the European Commission.

The New York Times

The F.D.A. said the researcher, Dr. Alkis Togias, should have sought approval from the F.D.A. before he began his study.

The New York Times

Witness K sought approval from the inspector general of intelligence services to speak to his lawyer, Collaery, about the concerns.

The Guardian

Both Mr. Cannon and Deseret Media's chief executive, Mark H. Willes, said they never sought approval from church officials on any editorial or article they ran.

The New York Times

For years, Wang has sought approval from Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead for a real estate development that would include the renovation of the Coliseum.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They then seek approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships.

The Guardian

He didn't seek approval from the city.

The New Yorker

Many require buyers to seek approval from the city government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sought approval from", ensure that the context clearly indicates who the approval was sought from and for what purpose. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sought approval" without specifying what was being approved. Always clarify the subject of the approval to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought approval from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of requesting permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's commonly used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought approval from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates the act of requesting permission or authorization. According to Ludwig AI, its typical usage involves formal or professional scenarios. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register. To ensure clarity in writing, it's best practice to specify the subject of the approval. Alternatives such as "requested permission from" or "obtained authorization from" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase’s high frequency and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested permission from

Focuses on the act of asking for permission, emphasizing the request rather than the outcome.

obtained authorization from

Highlights the successful acquisition of authorization, implying a formal process.

gained consent from

Implies that permission was granted after some process of convincing the consenting party.

sought clearance from

Highlights the action of clearing or securing clearance before doing something.

secured endorsement from

Emphasizes gaining support or backing, particularly from a respected figure or organization.

asked for the green light from

Uses an idiomatic expression, implying seeking a go-ahead or clearance to proceed.

consulted with

Highlights the action of consulting or seeking guidance from an expert, often prior to decision-making.

petitioned for

Suggests a formal request, often involving multiple parties or a governing body.

cleared it with

Implies informal permission or sign-off.

ran it by

Suggests briefly presenting an idea or plan to someone for their opinion or approval.

FAQs

What does "sought approval from" mean?

The phrase "sought approval from" means to have requested or tried to obtain permission or authorization from someone to do something. It suggests a formal process of asking for consent.

How can I use "sought approval from" in a sentence?

You can use "sought approval from" by placing it between the entity seeking permission and the entity from whom permission is needed. For example: "The company "sought approval from" the regulator."

Which is correct, "sought approval from" or "sought for approval from"?

"Sought approval from" is the correct and more concise phrasing. The addition of "for" is grammatically unnecessary. It's better to say "He "sought approval from" the manager" rather than "He sought for approval from the manager".

What are some alternatives to "sought approval from"?

Some alternatives to "sought approval from" include "requested permission from", "obtained authorization from", or "gained consent from depending" on the specific nuance you want to convey.