had turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had turned down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has rejected an offer, invitation, or proposal in the past. Example: "She had turned down the job offer because it did not meet her salary expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rowland had turned down the television sound.

The Guardian - Books

(Ms. Becker said she had turned down the earlier offer).

The New York Times

All the artists had turned down other offers.

Independent

Many others had turned down "Brokeback Mountain" as too risky.

The New York Times - Magazine

Flacco had turned down Delaware out of high school.

The New York Times - Sports

After issuing the debt, Citadel's board said it had turned down the Cumulus deal.

The New York Times

Ms. Isaac said she had turned down several universities with higher graduation rates.

The New York Times

Heribert Bruchhagen, Eintracht's chairman, said Nikolov, 35, had turned down a two-year contract extension offer.

The New York Times

She had turned down tours with Bobby Bland, Joe Tex and Little Richard.

The New York Times - Arts

He had turned down an earlier offer to drum for the band.

The New Yorker

Besides, their boards had turned down white people, among them one of Mr. Warkenthien's aunts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To sound more formal, especially in professional communication, consider using alternatives such as "had declined" or "had refused".

Common error

Avoid using "had turned down" when a softer refusal is needed; "had declined" may be more suitable in polite or formal contexts. Overusing this phrase may unintentionally create a harsh or negative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had turned down" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It indicates a completed action of rejecting or refusing something before a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had turned down" is a grammatically sound and commonly used past perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it effectively communicates the act of rejecting or refusing something prior to a specific point in the past. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register is generally neutral, though consider using more formal alternatives like "had declined" in certain contexts. By understanding its function and purpose, you can use "had turned down" effectively in your writing to convey rejection clearly and accurately. Remember to consider the tone and formality required for your specific audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had rejected

Indicates a firm refusal or non-acceptance, similar to "had turned down" but potentially stronger in tone.

had declined

A more formal way of saying "had turned down", suggesting a polite refusal.

had refused

Directly indicates a refusal, similar in strength to "had rejected".

had passed up

Implies missing an opportunity or not taking advantage of something offered.

had dismissed

Suggests rejecting something as unworthy of consideration.

had rebuffed

Indicates a blunt or abrupt rejection.

had spurned

Implies rejecting something with disdain or contempt.

had denied

Indicates withholding something requested or refusing to grant something.

had forsaken

Suggests abandoning or renouncing something previously valued.

had opted out of

Indicates choosing not to participate in something.

FAQs

What does "had turned down" mean?

"Had turned down" means that someone rejected or refused an offer, invitation, or proposal in the past. For example, "She "had turned down" the job offer."

What can I say instead of "had turned down"?

You can use alternatives like "had declined", "had rejected", or "had refused" depending on the context.

Is "had turned down" formal or informal?

"Had turned down" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal situations, consider using "had declined".

When is it appropriate to use "had turned down"?

Use "had turned down" when you want to indicate that someone made a conscious decision not to accept something offered to them. It works well in both casual and professional settings, though consider "had declined" for very formal contexts.