Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

deny

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone does not accept something as true. Example sentence: The defendant denied all of the accusations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both men deny the charges.

News & Media

The New York Times

The three deny any wrongdoing.

News & Media

The Economist

The Central Americans displayed a sounder structure, with the wing-backs helping the three centre-backs and the midfield providing protection too, and Mora suggested that he bore no ill-effects from his torment in Elche by producing a phenomenal one-handed save to deny Erin Vandenbergh early on.

"Daesh leaders are working at setting up a state and do not deny the existence of terrorist volunteers from European countries who may or may not have dual nationality … it goes beyond what we experienced before with al-Qaida," he said.

News & Media

The Guardian

Although a growing body of evidence, including interviews with Russian soldiers, indicates that Moscow has sent active-duty troops and equipment to support the pro-Russia rebels over the past year, the president, Vladimir Putin, continues to deny his forces' participation in the conflict.

News & Media

The Guardian

Randolph also saved smartly with his legs to deny Wilson after Bournemouth's top-scorer had been played through by Kermorgant.

In September 2012, as part of my PhD studies, I made a routine request under the Freedom of Information Act asking the Department for Education to release the application forms submitted by groups who had applied to open free schools, and the letters sent to inform them about the government's decision to either grant or deny their application.

News & Media

The Guardian

The government is hoping to reinstate temporary protection visas, which provide asylum seekers with only three years' protection and deny the visa holder the right to be reunited with their family.

News & Media

The Guardian

Brett Pitman could not take advantage after Teddy Bishop had inadvertently put the ball in his path and that was followed by two smart saves from Bartosz Bialkowski, firstly from Ryan Fraser and then swooping to his right to deny Ritchie's 30-yarder.

They were beaten by Germany, because they are always beaten by Germany, and then in their second match they were leading Austria in stoppage time, only for England's Howard Webb to deny them all three points by awarding a controversial and hotly-debated penalty against Poland.

The new directive from the Indonesian justice minister, Amir Syamsuddin, to deny Iranians the right to buy temporary visas upon arrival, addresses an issue raised by Rudd in recent talks with the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deny", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to refusing permission, contradicting a statement, or disclaiming responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "deny" when a more specific verb like "refuse", "reject", or "contradict" would better convey the intended meaning. "Deny" can be ambiguous if the context is not clear.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deny" is as a transitive verb. It typically takes a direct object, indicating what is being contradicted, refused, or disclaimed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a verb that expresses the action of contradicting or withholding something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "deny" is a versatile verb used to express contradiction, refusal, or disavowal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears frequently in news and media, sports reporting, and formal business contexts. To use "deny" effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are refusing permission, contradicting a statement, or disclaiming responsibility. Related phrases such as ""contradict"", ""refute"", and ""reject"" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with its nuances. By understanding these distinctions, you can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

FAQs

How can I use "deny" in a sentence?

You can use "deny" to indicate a refusal to accept something as true, as in "He "denied the allegations"", or to refuse permission, as in "They "were denied access"".

What's the difference between "deny" and "refuse"?

"Deny" typically involves contradicting a statement or refusing to admit something, while "refuse" generally means declining to do something. For example, you might "deny" a claim but "refuse" a request.

What are some synonyms for "deny"?

Synonyms for "deny" include "contradict", "refute", "reject", and "disavow". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "deny access to"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "deny access to" is commonly used to mean refusing someone permission to enter or use something.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: