sought authorization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought authorization" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of requesting or trying to obtain permission or approval for something. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, the team sought authorization from the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Officers there sought authorization, and Mr. Rumsfeld approved 15 interrogation techniques.

The New York Times

But they were also at pains to try to reassure the British public that all three agencies followed British law, sought authorization from appropriate cabinet ministers, did not condone torture and had learned from their mistakes, both foreign and domestic.

The New York Times

Although Mr. Obama claimed the power to attack Syria on his own, just as Mr. Clinton did with Iraq, he sought authorization from lawmakers anyway on the theory that a unified front would be stronger.

The New York Times

Mr. Perle said he sought authorization from C.I.A. officials to meet with the Iraqis, but the officials told him they did not want to pursue this channel, and they indicated they had already engaged in separate contacts with Baghdad.

The New York Times

But the report detailed how one man consistently warned of the coming genocide and sought authorization to act: Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire of Canada, commander of U.N. forces in Rwanda.

The New York Times

In 1999, the United States, expecting a Russian veto of military intervention to stop Serbian attacks on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, sidestepped the United Nations completely and sought authorization for the use of force within NATO itself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

When drafts of the proposals appeared two years ago, they included a key provision: Companies in Europe that store or process personal data would need to seek authorization from a "supervisory authority" before they could transfer personal information outside the Union at the request of a foreign government or court.

The New York Times

Premier Silvio Berlusconi had sex with a number of prostitutes, Milan prosecutors said on Monday in documents seeking authorization to search some of his properties.

The New York Times

Making matters worse, entities that issue certificates, though required to seek authorization from site owners, can technically issue certificates for any Web site.

The New York Times - Tech

And that's why I've made a second decision: I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people's representatives in Congress.

The New York Times

Motions have been filed in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan seeking authorization to have the insurance companies pay the $98.25 million settlements on behalf of the individual Lehman defendants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sought authorization" when you want to emphasize the formal action of requesting permission, particularly when the outcome isn't yet known. It's suitable for reports, legal documents, and official communications.

Common error

Avoid using "sought authority" when you mean "sought authorization". "Authority" refers to the right or power to give permission, whereas "authorization" is the permission itself. Use "sought authorization" when you're referring to the act of requesting permission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought authorization" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action performed in the past. It describes the act of formally requesting or trying to obtain permission or approval for something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sought authorization" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of formally requesting permission or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and wiki-based sources. While alternatives like "requested permission" and "applied for authorization" exist, "sought authorization" carries a slightly more formal tone, making it suitable for professional and official communications. Remember to use "sought authorization" when referring to the act of requesting permission, not the permission itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested permission

Replaces "sought" with the more direct "requested".

applied for authorization

Emphasizes the act of formally applying.

obtained approval

Shifts the focus to the result of seeking authorization.

asked for consent

Focuses on the aspect of seeking agreement or consent.

pursued approval

Highlights the active pursuit of authorization.

petitioned for permission

Implies a more formal and potentially persuasive request.

aimed to secure authorization

Highlights the goal of obtaining authorization.

looked for authorization

Uses a more literal and less formal expression.

endeavored to get authorization

Emphasizes the effort involved in securing authorization.

took steps to be authorized

Focuses on the actions taken to gain authorization.

FAQs

How can I use "sought authorization" in a sentence?

You can use "sought authorization" when referring to someone requesting permission or approval for something. For instance, "The company "sought authorization" from the city council to build a new factory."

What's the difference between "sought authorization" and "received authorization"?

"Sought authorization" implies the act of requesting permission, whereas "received authorization" means that the permission was granted. For example, "They "sought authorization", but they haven't "received authorization" yet."

Which is correct, "sought authorization" or "seek authorization"?

Both are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Sought authorization" is the past tense, while "seek authorization" is the present tense or infinitive form. Use "sought authorization" when the action of seeking permission has already occurred.

What can I say instead of "sought authorization"?

You can use alternatives like "requested permission", "applied for authorization", or "asked for consent" depending on the specific context.