denied leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "denied leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to employment, where an employee's request for time off has been rejected. Example: "After reviewing her request for vacation, the manager denied leave due to staffing shortages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In several ports, at least 40percentt of ships surveyed had crew members denied leave.

The New York Times

Wang Yong, the soldier in Lhasa, was denied leave to grieve and see his fiancée's body, his mother said.

The New York Times

A Nevada state employee who was denied leave to care for his ailing wife had filed a lawsuit, and the state claimed that it was immune.

The New York Times

That means they are routinely denied leave for illness, maternity or bereavement, and are paid less than colleagues teaching Italian or foreign literature.

The New York Times

Ms Roberts was denied leave to appeal by Mr Justice Bodey, but can still seek to take her case to the Court of Appeal.

Independent

It's Groundhog Day for Catholic Care, which has been denied leave to appeal against a ruling that says it cannot exclude gay couples from using its adoption service.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"We can't get the houses — we're getting denied left and right.

The New Yorker

Nasri denied leaving Arsenal for City purely for financial gain, even though his salary is believed to have tripled this week.

The Guardian - Sport

Private detectives hired by Bernard Spitzer traced the call to Stone's wife's telephone, but Stone, however implausibly, denied leaving the message.

The New Yorker

Turkey's alleged refusal to allow Turkish Kurdish fighters to cross the border to fight alongside Syrian brethren – something Ankara has denied – left dozens dead.

Independent

Requests for meaningful access to the detention facility -- including access to detainees -- have been repeatedly denied, leaving us with no way to accurately evaluate detainee conditions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "denied leave", ensure you clearly state the reason for the denial if context requires it. Providing context can help maintain transparency and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice without specifying who "denied" the leave. For example, instead of saying "Leave was denied", specify who denied it, like "The manager denied leave". This clarifies responsibility and adds precision to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "denied leave" functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating the refusal of a request for time off from work or other obligations. Ludwig AI confirms that this construction is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "denied leave" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a request for time off has been rejected. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used in various contexts, primarily in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly state the reason for denial and avoid passive voice for clarity. Consider alternatives like "leave was refused" or "request for leave rejected" to vary your writing. The phrase is generally neutral in register and widely understood, making it suitable for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave was refused

Focuses on the action being refused rather than who denied it.

request for leave rejected

Replaces "denied" with "rejected" emphasizing the formal aspect of the request.

time off was not granted

Emphasizes that the permission for time off was not given.

leave application turned down

Highlights the denial of a formal application for leave.

holiday request rejected

Specifically refers to rejecting a holiday request.

vacation request denied

Replaces "leave" with "vacation", specifying the type of leave.

leave request declined

Uses the more formal "declined" instead of "denied".

permission to be absent refused

Expresses the denial in terms of refusing permission for absence.

leave was not approved

Focuses on the lack of approval rather than the denial itself.

application for time off was rejected

Combines "application for time off" to highlight the formality and replaces "denied" with "rejected".

FAQs

What does "denied leave" mean?

"Denied leave" means that a request for time off from work or other obligations has been refused or rejected.

What can I say instead of "denied leave"?

You can use alternatives like "leave was refused", "request for leave rejected", or "time off was not granted" depending on the context.

How is "denied leave" used in a sentence?

Example: "The employee was denied leave due to understaffing." Another example: "The Nepalese workers building stadiums for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have been denied leave to attend funerals".

Is it correct to say "leave was denied"?

Yes, "leave was denied" is grammatically correct, but it's in the passive voice. Using the active voice, such as "The manager denied leave", is often clearer and more direct.