have been refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been refused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been denied or rejected in the past and continues to have that status. Example: "Despite multiple attempts to secure funding, our proposals have been refused by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All have been refused.

The New Yorker

These proposals have been refused.

Yale University

All have been refused bail.

The Guardian

Vehicle owners have been refused goodwill payments.

The Guardian - Money

But those requests have been refused.

The New York Times

On each occasion we have been refused information.

Independent

Various ethnic parties have been refused the right to participate.

The New York Times

Some undocumented Syrians have been refused entry to Turkey.

The Economist

The Bhaila brothers, who have been refused bail, strenuously denied any connection to the statement.

The New York Times

Hundreds have been refused entry to the territory on suspicion they might engage in parallel trading.

The Economist

Some have been denied access to the sick; others have been refused blood samples.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been refused", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what was refused and the object specifies what was denied. This avoids ambiguity and makes the sentence more precise.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "have been refused" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The application has been refused by the committee", consider "The committee refused the application."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been refused" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that someone or something has experienced the action of being denied or rejected. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been refused" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive perfect construction. As verified by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys that something has been denied or rejected. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "have been denied" or "have been rejected" to add variety to your writing. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying who or what was refused and what was denied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been denied

Synonymous replacement, focusing on the act of being denied something.

have been rejected

Similar meaning, emphasizing the act of being turned down.

were not granted

Focuses on the lack of permission being given.

were turned down

Informal alternative, emphasizing the act of rejection.

have not been allowed

Emphasizes the lack of authorization.

were declined

A more formal synonym for rejected.

have been disapproved

Focuses on the lack of approval.

did not receive

Shifts focus to the lack of receipt rather than the act of refusal.

were unsuccessful in obtaining

A more elaborate way of stating the failure to get something.

have been shut down

Indicates a more forceful rejection or cessation.

FAQs

What does "have been refused" mean?

The phrase "have been refused" means that something has been denied or rejected. It indicates that a request, application, or proposal was not accepted.

How can I use "have been refused" in a sentence?

You can use "have been refused" to indicate that something was denied. For example, "Their request for funding "have been refused"" or "Many asylum applications "have been refused" recently".

What are some alternatives to "have been refused"?

Alternatives to "have been refused" include "have been denied", "have been rejected", or were "not granted". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "have been refused" or "were refused"?

Both "have been refused" and "were refused" are grammatically correct, but "have been refused" implies a continuing state or relevance to the present, whereas "were refused" simply refers to a past action.