he denied that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he denied that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is rejecting or refuting a statement or accusation made against them. Example: "He denied that he had any involvement in the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He denied that weapons had been found.

The New York Times

He denied that gun makers circumvented the law.

The New York Times

He denied that was his intention.

Huffington Post

He denied that was his ulterior motive.

Los Angeles Times

He denied that.

The New York Times

He denied that anything untoward had happened.

The New York Times

But on Tuesday he denied that request.

The New York Times

He denied that Rumpole was entirely himself.

The Economist

He denied that he currently used drugs.

The New York Times

And he denied that anything was wrong.

The New York Times

But this week, he denied that account.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he denied that", ensure that the statement being denied is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what accusation or claim is being refuted.

Common error

Avoid using "he denied that" when the denial is not specific or when it's unclear what is being denied. Always follow with the specific claim or accusation to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he denied that" functions as a reporting verb construction. It introduces a subordinate clause that contains the specific statement or accusation being refuted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a standard construction for reporting denials.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he denied that" is a very common phrase used to report a person's rejection of a statement or accusation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternative phrases like "he refuted that" or "he disputed that" exist, "he denied that" remains a straightforward and frequently employed option. Be sure to specify what is being denied for clarity, and note that it is distinct from "he refused that", which implies a declination rather than a contradiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he refuted that

Replaces "denied" with "refuted", indicating a more forceful rejection.

he contested that

Uses "contested" to imply a challenge or dispute of the statement.

he disputed that

Employs "disputed" to suggest questioning the truth or validity of something.

he rejected that claim

Specifies that it is a "claim" being rejected, adding clarity.

he countered that

Suggests a direct opposition or rebuttal to a previous statement.

he disagreed with that

Uses a more straightforward expression of disagreement.

he dismissed that

Implies that he considered it unworthy of serious attention.

he disavowed that

Indicates a formal denial or renunciation of something.

he challenged that assertion

Replaces "denied" with "challenged" and specifies "assertion", suggesting a call for proof.

he debunked that

Suggests that he proved the statement to be false.

FAQs

How can I use "he denied that" in a sentence?

Use "he denied that" to refute a statement or accusation. For example, "He denied that he was involved in the scandal."

What's a more formal alternative to "he denied that"?

More formal alternatives include "he refuted that" or "he contested that".

What's the difference between "he denied that" and "he refused that"?

"He denied that" means he stated something was untrue, while "he refused that" means he declined to do something. They aren't interchangeable.

Is it always necessary to include "that" after "he denied"?

While grammatically correct, the "that" in "he denied that" can sometimes be omitted, especially in informal contexts. However, including it often improves clarity and readability.