flatly deny

USAGE SUMMARY

"flatly deny" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe an act of strongly rejecting something. For example: The defendant flatly denied all accusations of wrongdoing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

That I flatly deny".

The Guardian - Sport

Both sides flatly deny it.

The Economist

The Japanese flatly deny that possibility.

The New York Times

He and Autonomy's other ex-bosses flatly deny the allegations.

The Economist

"No, we can flatly deny that," the representative told Reuters.

The New York Times

But both the YPG and the PKK flatly deny responsibility.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

That was flatly denied.

Independent

Andrew Lansley flatly denies this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Administration officials flatly denied that.

The New York Times

Mr Kim flatly denies this.

The Economist

The request was flatly denied.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting someone's denial, follow "flatly deny" with a direct quote or a summary of the denied statement to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

While "flatly deny" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in very casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "completely disagree" or "that's not true" can often be more appropriate and natural in everyday discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flatly deny" functions as a verb phrase used to express a strong and unequivocal rejection of a statement, accusation, or claim. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academic Sources

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flatly deny" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a strong denial. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While effective in conveying conviction, it should be used judiciously in very informal settings, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. When you report someone's denial, follow "flatly deny" with a direct quote or a summary of the denied statement. Some alternatives can be "outright deny", "totally deny", or "utterly deny", all of which are used to strengthen the meaning of a phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outright deny

Emphasizes a direct and complete denial without hesitation.

totally deny

Highlights the completeness of the denial, leaving no room for doubt.

utterly deny

Stresses the absolute nature of the denial, suggesting no possibility of truth.

bluntly deny

Focuses on the direct and frank manner of the denial, potentially lacking tact.

resoundingly deny

Emphasizes a denial made with force and clarity, leaving no uncertainty.

steadfastly deny

Indicates a consistent and unwavering denial over time.

vehemently deny

Highlights the passionate and forceful nature of the denial.

unequivocally deny

Indicates a clear and unambiguous denial, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

emphatically deny

Stresses the forceful and expressive quality of the denial.

absolutely deny

Highlights the certainty and lack of exception in the denial.

FAQs

How can I use "flatly deny" in a sentence?

You can use "flatly deny" to express a strong rejection of an accusation or claim. For example: "The company "flatly denied" the allegations of fraud."

What are some alternatives to "flatly deny"?

Alternatives to "flatly deny" include "outright deny", "totally deny", or "vehemently deny", each with slightly different nuances in emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "flatly deny" in formal writing?

Yes, "flatly deny" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to convey a firm and unambiguous denial. It's suitable for news reports, legal documents, and business communications.

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

"Flatly deny" emphasizes the strength and decisiveness of the denial, whereas "deny" is a more general term. Using "flatly" adds a layer of conviction to the statement.