he refused that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he refused that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone declined or rejected something that was offered to them. Example: Sarah tried to persuade John to join her for dinner, but he refused that invitation and chose to stay home instead.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He refused that".

Independent

Mr. Williams said he refused that request, as well as a later request from Dr. Murray to take him to get something to eat.

The New York Times

"It looks like he refused that," Mr. Avdeev said.

The New York Times

"He doesn't want to, he refused — that lazybones does not want to work," Mr. Putin said.

The New York Times

He refused that his resignation as leader might be necessary for Labour to consider a coalition with the Lib Dems after the general election.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was also diagnosed with hypertension and advised to start the treatment with an antihypertensive drug, but he refused at that time.

BMC Nephrology

Florence Rouas-Elbazis, a French lawyer, told Agence France-Presse: "It is not because he refuses that he cannot be handed over, but it could lead to an additional delay".

The Guardian

He should refuse that choice!

Huffington Post

However, the company alleges that he refused to sign that agreement and to return confidential information post-employment.

TechCrunch

Mr. Hampton said that he refused and that Mr. Evans took a match from him and lighted it, causing a fireball that knocked Mr. Hampton down some stairs.

The New York Times

He refused to identify that doctor.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he refused that", ensure the context clearly identifies what "that" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. Consider rephrasing to include the specific item refused for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he refused that" repeatedly without providing context. Vary your language by using synonyms like "he rejected that" or "he declined that". Always clarify what the "that" refers to to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he refused that" functions as a statement of rejection or declination. As Ludwig AI indicates, it means someone declined or rejected something. It follows a subject-verb-object structure, where "he" is the subject, "refused" is the verb, and "that" is the object.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he refused that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone declined or rejected something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though it's relatively rare in occurrence. While acceptable, it's crucial to provide clear context for "that" to avoid ambiguity. Consider using synonyms like "he rejected that" or specifying the object of refusal for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he rejected that

Replaces "refused" with "rejected", offering a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

he declined that

Substitutes "refused" with "declined", providing a more formal alternative that still expresses a rejection.

he turned that down

Uses the phrasal verb "turned down" in place of "refused", offering a more informal and conversational tone.

he would not accept that

Expresses the refusal as a lack of acceptance, adding a nuance of unwillingness.

he did not consent to that

Replaces "refused" with "did not consent", emphasizing a lack of agreement or permission.

he opposed that

Indicates that he was against something.

he resisted that

Suggests a stronger opposition or struggle against something.

he passed on that

Uses the informal "passed on" instead of "refused", indicating a polite rejection.

he avoided that

Implies an attempt to stay away or steer clear of something.

he abstained from that

Suggests a deliberate choice not to participate or engage in something.

FAQs

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

You can use "he refused that" to indicate a rejection or declination. For example, "The company offered him a promotion, but he refused that opportunity because it would require relocating".

What are some alternatives to "he refused that"?

Some alternatives include "he rejected that", "he declined that", or "he turned that down". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to specify what "that" refers to when using "he refused that"?

Yes, it is generally better to be specific. Instead of "he refused that", consider saying "he refused that offer" or "he refused that request" for better clarity.

What is the difference between "he refused that" and "he denied that"?

"He refused that" implies declining something offered, while "he denied that" means he disputed or contradicted a statement or accusation. The terms are not interchangeable.