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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
deny
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Both men deny the charges.
News & Media
The three deny any wrongdoing.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
"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
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
Randolph also saved smartly with his legs to deny Wilson after Bournemouth's top-scorer had been played through by Kermorgant.
News & Media
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 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
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.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
contradict
This alternative focuses on directly opposing a statement or claim.
reject
This indicates a refusal to accept or agree with something.
refute
This implies providing evidence to prove something is false.
dispute
This highlights questioning the truth or validity of something.
disavow
This suggests a formal rejection or denial of responsibility.
repudiate
This suggests a strong and formal rejection or condemnation.
disclaim
This emphasizes a renunciation of a connection or claim.
gainsay
This implies contradicting or challenging a statement.
negate
This focuses on nullifying or making something ineffective.
decline
This indicates a polite refusal of an offer or request.
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.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
96%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested