Sign In Get Started
Preposition before noun

“For permission”, “without permission”, or “with permission”?

With permission and without permission are fixed expressions about authorization. For permission is used after verbs such as ask or apply.

Quick answer

How to use these phrases

Use with permission when something is allowed and without permission when it is not allowed. For permission usually follows verbs such as ask, apply, or request.

The photo was published with permission from the artist.
They entered the site without permission.
She applied for permission to extend the project.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
with permission

Showing authorization

Use with permission when an action is officially or personally allowed.

The article is reproduced with permission of the publisher.
Students may leave early with permission from the teacher.
2
without permission

Showing lack of authorization

Use without permission for actions done without approval.

No one may enter without permission.
The files were copied without permission from the owner.
3
apply for permission

Requesting approval formally

Use for permission after verbs like apply, ask, or request.

Residents must apply for permission before building extensions.
He asked for permission to speak.
4
permission to + verb

Stating an allowed action

Permission is often followed by an infinitive describing the allowed action.

She received permission to travel abroad.
We need permission to use the logo.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
with permission
The interview was recorded with permission.
The action was authorized.
without permission
They used the image without permission.
The action was not authorized.
for permission
She applied for permission to park there.
Used after verbs about requesting approval.
permission to
He gave us permission to enter.
Introduces the allowed action.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “for permission” without a requesting verb

For permission normally follows verbs like ask or apply.

✕ The event happened for permission. ✓ The event happened with permission.

Confusing authorization and requests

With permission means approval exists. For permission refers to asking.

✕ She entered for permission. ✓ She entered with permission.

Missing the infinitive after “permission to”

Permission to is followed by a verb.

✕ permission to the area ✓ permission to enter the area

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The documents were shared ___ from the client.
2. Employees must apply ___ before accessing the archive.
3. Nobody may film here ___ .

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is “with permission” a fixed expression?

Yes. It is commonly used to show that an action is authorized.

When do we use “for permission”?

Usually after verbs such as ask, apply, request, or wait.

What follows “permission to”?

An infinitive verb, such as permission to enter or permission to speak.

for, admission, of, admission "for adoption", "of adoption" or "to adoption"? "for answer" or "of answer"? "for approval" or "of approval"? for, at, after, to or before lunch? "for breakfast" or "after breakfast"? "for collection" or "of collection"? "for dad" or "with dad"? for, during, in, of or with period? "for enforcement" or "of enforcement"? "for examination" or "of examination"? "for generation" or "of generation"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account