are being refused

USAGE SUMMARY

"are being refused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the present continuous passive form of the verb "refuse," and it describes an ongoing action of being denied or not given something. Some examples of when you could use "are being refused" in a sentence are: 1. The students' requests for a school-wide picnic are being refused by the administration. 2. The company's new product launch is being delayed because the necessary permits are being refused by the local government. 3. Many asylum seekers are being refused entry at the border, causing controversy and outrage. 4. Despite their qualifications, many job applicants are being refused job offers due to the current economic situation. 5. Our team's proposal to revamp the office layout is being refused by the higher-ups, despite its potential cost-saving benefits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Are we living in times of yester year when immigrants are being refused entrance to this country because of bigotry and ignorance and the freedoms of speech and assembly are being threatened with blatant violations because of hypocrisy?

Huffington Post

Requests for (cochlear) implantation are being refused due to an overall overspend".

The Guardian - Opinion

Several surveys confirm that a rising number of firms are being refused new credit or seeing existing credit lines cut.

The Economist

Mortgages are being refused, homes are facing repossession and some expats find themselves sucked under by negative equity.

The Guardian

It is believed Hinch is concerned that smaller contractors are being refused payment on construction projects for so-called workmanship issues, causing high rates of insolvency.

The Guardian

American and European waste dealers who sell to China are finding that their shipments are being refused by clients when they arrive in Asia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"They're being refused entry into the traditional shelter system".

The New York Times

Ms. Siegel became interested in agunot after a friend from synagogue told her that his daughter was being refused a get.

The New York Times

Some had been held for as long as two years without trial, and some were being refused the right to appeal very harsh sentences, they said.

The New York Times

When he quit law school to become a newspaper reporter, his most memorable experience was being refused an interview by Sigmund Freud.

The Guardian - Film

I was taken off the aircraft in full view of all the passengers and escorted by these armed men to immigration, in order to be told that I was being refused entry to Canada because I'm "a terrorist".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being refused" to clearly indicate an ongoing state of denial. This construction is particularly effective when describing systematic or repeated rejections.

Common error

Avoid using "are being refused" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "Applications are being refused by the committee", consider "The committee is refusing applications" if you want to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being refused" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of refusal. As Ludwig AI states, this is the present continuous passive form of the verb "refuse."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being refused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that effectively conveys an ongoing action of denial. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently appears in News & Media, describing current situations where something is not being granted. While versatile, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction might be more impactful. Alternatives like "are being denied" or "are being rejected" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being denied

Focuses on the act of withholding something from someone.

are being rejected

Emphasizes a more forceful or explicit refusal.

are not being allowed

Highlights the lack of permission.

are being turned down

An idiomatic alternative, less formal and emphasizes a refusal of a request or application.

are being declined

A more formal way of saying 'are being refused'.

are not being granted

Highlights the lack of permission or authorization.

are being blocked

Indicates an obstruction or impediment.

are being prohibited

Implies a formal ban or restriction.

are being vetoed

Suggests a powerful rejection, often by someone in authority.

are facing rejection

Shifts the focus to the experience of the subject, rather than the action of refusing.

FAQs

How can I use "are being refused" in a sentence?

Use "are being refused" to describe a situation where something is currently being denied. For example, "Visas are being refused to citizens from certain countries".

What are some alternatives to "are being refused"?

You can use alternatives such as "are being denied", "are being rejected", or "are being turned down" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "are being refused" and "are refused"?

Yes, "are being refused" (present continuous passive) indicates an ongoing action, while "are refused" (simple present passive) describes a general or habitual action. For example, "Applications are being refused now" versus "Applications are refused if incomplete".

When should I use "was being refused" instead of "are being refused"?

Use "was being refused" when describing a past situation where something was in the process of being denied. For example, "His requests were being refused until he provided additional documentation".