got refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got refused" is not standard in written English; it is more commonly expressed as "was refused." You can use it in informal spoken contexts, but it is better to use the correct form in writing.
Example: "I applied for the job, but I got refused."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Every bank turned them down for a loan; but, says Dunbar, "there was this thing in Hackney where the council would give you loans to start a business if you got refused by a bank".

The Guardian - Music

"I know some people who have been refused, yesterday I found out a friend of mine and his two friends got refused.

Vice

I got refused.

BMC Public Health

Without an address, persons without asylum are denied health care and treatment since residential information is required for GP registration: I got refused.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And the bottom line is, like I said before, nobody gets refused".

The New York Times

But in times like these, with growing numbers of parents getting refused by their preferred local primary school, such support cannot be assumed.

The Guardian - Opinion

FMF16 I get refused when turning to people for help.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

They go bumping from door-to-door, getting refused repeatedly, their emotional energy draining each month, their resilience eroding slowly but surely.

Forbes

And cancer drugs, in particular, often cost much more than that and so get refused by NICE for being too expensive.

BBC

Kreditech has a relatively low acceptance rate — 80% of applicants might get refused — but Griemens claims that it has a better default rate than traditional banks.

TechCrunch

Get refused 7. Go back to stand in line 8. Get refused 9. Go back to stand in line.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "got refused" is understandable, prefer the more formal and widely accepted "was refused" in written communication.

Common error

Avoid using "got refused" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for "was refused" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got refused" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced the action of being refused. Ludwig suggests that while understandable, it's less formal than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "got refused" is an acceptable, though less formal, way to express that someone or something was denied. While understandable, it's generally recommended to use more formal alternatives like "was refused" in written English, especially in professional or academic contexts. Ludwig AI points out that using "was refused" is grammatically preferable. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business, but its usage is not as frequent as its more formal counterparts. When writing, consider your audience and the context to determine the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was denied

Uses the passive voice with a more standard verb for expressing rejection.

was rejected

Emphasizes the act of being turned down or not accepted.

was turned down

A phrasal verb indicating refusal of a request or application.

was not granted

Highlights the failure to receive something that was requested.

met with refusal

Formal way to describe the experience of being refused.

application was rejected

Specifically refers to the rejection of a formal application.

request was denied

Focuses on the denial of a specific request.

did not receive approval

Implies a formal process where approval was necessary but not given.

permission was withheld

Suggests that permission was intentionally not granted.

faced a rejection

Highlights the experience of encountering rejection.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "got refused"?

The phrase "was refused" is a more formal and grammatically standard alternative. Other options include "was denied" or "was rejected".

Is "got refused" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "got refused" is considered less formal and less common in written English. It's generally better to use "was refused".

In what situations is it okay to use "got refused"?

You can use "got refused" in informal spoken contexts or casual writing, but it's best to avoid it in formal or professional settings.

What does "got refused" mean?

The phrase "got refused" means that a request, application, or someone was denied or rejected. It's a way of saying that something was not approved or accepted.