a substantial refusal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial refusal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable denial or rejection of something, such as a request or proposal. Example: "The committee issued a substantial refusal to the funding application, citing insufficient evidence to support the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is also likely to be a substantial refusal rate even to anonymous testing.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The eligibility of those who refused is unknown, but given our exclusions based on residence in the district, parity, and age, a substantial proportion of the refusals may have been ineligible.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

In summary, the present study showed that whilst the majority of 9 10 year old children living in deprived communities had high non-smoking intentions and refusal self-efficacy, a substantial proportion displayed pro-smoking attitudes that could be addressed through smoking prevention efforts.

BMC Public Health

When a pregnant woman refuses an intervention that doctors judge provides a substantial benefit to her fetus, is overriding her refusal ever ethically justified?

SEP

For this analysis, there was a substantial number of missing values because of default, refusal, inability to cough, or laboratory error.

British Medical Journal

If we relate the number of refusals to the number of switchers, we find a substantial increase in 2008 and a subsequent reduction in 2009 (though still halting at a much higher level than in 2007).

European Journal of Health Economics

Because of Chabon's refusal to euphemize the protagonist's homosexual experiences, he attracted a substantial gay following.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Justice Department replied that even refusals to buy insurance can, in the aggregate, have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.

The New York Times

But relief workers say the debate over access for foreigners and the refusal of the government to allow in military helicopters and ships from the United States, France and Britain overshadowed a substantial relief operation carried out mainly by Burmese citizens and monks.

The New York Times

The Michigan judge persuasively argued that refusals to buy health insurance are economic decisions that, in the aggregate, will have a substantial impact on interstate commerce.

The New York Times

We made a substantial bid.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial refusal", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being refused and why the refusal is significant. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial refusal" when the refusal is minor or inconsequential. Overstating the significance weakens your argument and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial refusal" functions as a noun phrase, where 'substantial' modifies 'refusal'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a significant act of rejecting or denying something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial refusal" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant act of rejection. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to describe a considerable denial or rejection of something. Its usage leans towards neutral to formal contexts, frequently appearing in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context emphasizes the significance of the refusal to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "a significant rejection" or "a considerable denial" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant rejection

Focuses on the act of rejecting, emphasizing its importance.

a considerable denial

Highlights the act of denying, suggesting it's noteworthy.

a major disapproval

Emphasizes the negative sentiment and its scale.

a strong objection

Conveys a firm and forceful disagreement.

a marked opposition

Highlights a noticeable resistance or antagonism.

a decisive no

Emphasizes the finality and clarity of the rejection.

a firm declination

Highlights the steadfastness and formality of the refusal.

a hefty turndown

More informal, emphasizes the size or impact of the refusal.

a wholesale rejection

Implies a complete and comprehensive refusal.

a categorical denial

Emphasizes the absolute and unambiguous nature of the denial.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a substantial refusal" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "a significant rejection", "a considerable denial", or "a firm declination".

When is it appropriate to use "a substantial refusal" in writing?

Use "a substantial refusal" when you want to emphasize the significance or magnitude of a rejection or denial. For example, "The proposal met with "a substantial refusal" from the board due to budget concerns".

What are some less formal synonyms for "a substantial refusal"?

Less formal alternatives include "a strong no", "a hard pass", or "a hefty turndown".

How does "a substantial refusal" differ from a simple "no"?

"A substantial refusal" implies a more significant or impactful rejection than a simple "no". It suggests that the refusal carries weight or has notable consequences.