be turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be turned down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a rejection or refusal of an offer, request, or proposal. Example: "I applied for the scholarship, but unfortunately, I was turned down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They cannot be turned down for insurance.

The New York Times

Can the lights be turned down, please?

The New Yorker

You're likely to be turned down.

The Washington Post

I hate to be turned down".

The New York Times

The Turks must have known they would be turned down".

Independent

Mr. Park offered $425,000, expecting to be turned down.

The New York Times

Perhaps the volume control needs to be turned down.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They should be turned down based on the need".

The New York Times - Magazine

Your suggestions for writers for directors will be turned down.

The Guardian

> you go back to request additional rights, you may be turned down.

University of California, Berkeley

Now the senator himself was calling, and he was not going to be turned down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be turned down", ensure the context clearly indicates what was rejected and why. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be turned down" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The proposal was turned down by the committee", consider "The committee turned down the proposal" if the focus is on the committee's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be turned down" functions as a passive construction verb phrase. It signifies that the subject of the sentence receives the action of being refused or rejected. Ludwig shows many examples where this construction effectively conveys the outcome of a decision, emphasizing the recipient of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be turned down" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone or something has been refused or rejected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. While alternatives like "be rejected" or "be refused" exist, "be turned down" offers a nuanced way to describe situations where a request or application did not succeed. When writing, ensure the context clarifies what was rejected to avoid ambiguity. The phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for various registers, making it a versatile choice in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be rejected

Uses a more direct synonym for refusal.

be refused

Similar to "be rejected" but can imply a more formal denial.

be denied

Implies that something was not granted or allowed.

be declined

A more polite or formal way of saying "be refused".

face rejection

Focuses on the act of experiencing refusal.

meet with a refusal

Highlights the encounter with a negative response.

have your request denied

Specifies that a request was not approved.

not be accepted

A general way of saying something was not approved or welcomed.

suffer a setback

Suggests the rejection caused a delay or problem.

be unsuccessful

Indicates a lack of success in achieving a goal or request.

FAQs

How can I use "be turned down" in a sentence?

The phrase "be turned down" indicates a rejection or refusal. For example, "My application for the loan was turned down", or "The request to extend the deadline was turned down by the manager".

What are some alternatives to using "be turned down"?

You can use alternatives such as "be rejected", "be refused", or "be denied" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be turned down" or "being turned down"?

"Be turned down" is typically used in passive constructions to describe a past action. "Being turned down" is used as a gerund or participle, such as in "The fear of being turned down prevented her from applying".

What's the difference between "be turned down" and "be rejected"?

While both indicate a negative outcome, "be rejected" is generally a stronger, more direct term. "Be turned down" can sometimes imply a less harsh or more procedural refusal, though they are often interchangeable.