had been refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been refused" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was denied or rejected in the past, often in a passive voice construction. Example: "The application had been refused due to incomplete documentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I had been refused.

The New Yorker

So many likable things had been refused.

The New York Times - Arts

Meighen was given the dissolution that King had been refused.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Within minutes, she reported, the note had been refused.

The New York Times

The bank, which announced the bonus on Thursday, confirmed that it had been refused.

The New York Times

But they had been refused admission at all the embassies where they'd gone to seek help.

The New Yorker

Some had been refused accreditation, while others were simply chased away.

The Economist

Employees from railroad operator CSX had said that permission had been refused.

The Guardian - Film

French television ran a documentary about journalists who had been refused approval, and thus access.

The Guardian

The young man asked if it had been refused "on moral grounds".

The New Yorker

One woman told me that she had been refused treatment because her husband wouldn't agree.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been refused", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the refusing and what was being refused. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been refused" without specifying the subject or object. For example, instead of saying "The request had been refused", clarify with "The request had been refused by the committee" or "His request had been refused".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been refused" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that a previous request or application was turned down. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in conveying denial across diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been refused" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to express past denial or rejection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely accepted. Its prevalence in news, scientific literature, and formal communications underscores its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure clear context to specify the actor and the object of refusal. Semantically similar alternatives include "was rejected" and "was denied", offering subtle variations in meaning. The usage examples show that the phrase is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was rejected

Emphasizes the act of being turned down or not accepted.

was denied

Focuses on the withholding of something requested or expected.

was turned down

An informal way of expressing rejection, often in personal contexts.

was not granted

Highlights the lack of permission or authorization.

was declined

A more formal way of saying 'refused', often used in business settings.

was vetoed

Implies a formal rejection by someone with authority.

was disapproved

Suggests a lack of official endorsement or agreement.

was rebuffed

Indicates a blunt or abrupt rejection.

was dismissed

Implies that something was considered unimportant and rejected.

was not allowed

Highlights a prohibition or lack of consent.

FAQs

How is "had been refused" used in a sentence?

"Had been refused" indicates that something was rejected or denied in the past. For example, "The application "had been refused" due to incomplete documentation".

What are some alternatives to "had been refused"?

You can use alternatives such as "was rejected", "was denied", or "was turned down" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has been refused" instead of "had been refused"?

While both are grammatically correct, "has been refused" implies a rejection that occurred recently and is still relevant, whereas "had been refused" refers to a rejection that occurred in the more distant past. Use "has" to highlight the present relevance of the event and use "had" otherwise.

What is the difference between "rejected" and "had been refused"?

"Rejected" is an active verb, while "had been refused" is a passive construction. "The committee rejected the proposal" is active. "The proposal "had been refused" by the committee" is passive.