be declined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be declined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is being rejected or not accepted, often in formal or official situations. Example: "The application will be declined if it does not meet the necessary criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Part B can be declined or deferred.

The New York Times

Credit scores are always taken into account so consumers may still be declined on that basis.

Independent

They would be declined cover because of the associated health risks of being obese".

Independent

But for the intrepid eater, it was a challenge not to be declined.

The New York Times - Travel

Awards that arrive without a corresponding proposal are considered after-the-fact awards, and such awards may be declined.

University of California, Berkeley

It has past both houses 3 times only to be declined by our late Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger.

University of California, Berkeley

These requests could be declined by the heads of the very agencies under scrutiny.

The Guardian - Opinion

The heat transfer rate is observed to be declined with the growth of Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameters.

Chemical Engineering Science

Due to the existence of sweepback angle of aircraft, the stringers of the stiffened panels in some parts may be declined instead parallel to the boundary.

Composite Structures

"If the sender is your long-lost brother," he said, the payment can be declined, costing the sender nothing.

The New York Times

Roy Hodgson's request to retain him on the stand-by list was always likely to be declined.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be declined" in formal contexts to indicate a polite or official refusal. For example, "The offer was declined due to budgetary constraints."

Common error

Avoid using "be declined" in very informal or casual settings. Simpler terms like "rejected" or "turned down" might be more appropriate in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be declined" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being refused or rejected. As evidenced by Ludwig, it frequently appears in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be declined" serves as a formal way to express refusal or rejection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, especially in formal contexts such as science, news, and academia. While semantically similar alternatives like "be rejected" or "be refused" exist, "be declined" often carries a more polite and official tone. When writing, remember to consider the level of formality required by your audience to ensure your message is both clear and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be rejected

Uses a different verb to convey the same meaning of being turned down.

be refused

Employs a synonym for "decline", offering a direct alternative.

be turned down

Utilizes a phrasal verb to express the idea of rejection.

be denied

Indicates a formal refusal or withholding of something.

not be accepted

Provides a more explicit and less concise alternative.

be disapproved

Suggests a lack of approval or agreement.

be vetoed

Implies a formal rejection, often in a political or authoritative context.

be dismissed

Suggests being disregarded or considered unimportant.

be excluded

Implies that something or someone is not included or allowed.

be rebuffed

Conveys a more abrupt or discourteous rejection.

FAQs

How can I use "be declined" in a sentence?

The phrase "be declined" is used to indicate that something has been refused or rejected. For example, "The application will "be declined" if it doesn't meet the requirements."

What's a more informal way to say "be declined"?

In less formal contexts, you can use phrases like "be rejected" or "be turned down" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be declined"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Be declined" is the passive form of the verb "decline", and it's used to show that the subject receives the action of being refused.

What is the difference between "be declined" and "be refused"?

While both phrases mean that something is not accepted, "be declined" often implies a more polite or formal refusal, whereas "be refused" can sometimes sound more direct or absolute.