he turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he turned down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe when someone has declined or rejected an offer. For example: "John was offered a promotion at work, but he turned down the offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He turned down the offers.

The New York Times - Tech

He turned down Arizona.

The New York Times

He turned down the offer, they said.

The New York Times

He turned down the position.

The New York Times

He turned down her offer.

The New Yorker

And he turned down medals.

The New York Times - Arts

He turned down Manchester City to join United.

The New York Times - Sports

But he turned down the offer.

The New York Times

Then he turned down Rob's joint.

The New York Times

(He turned down a stylist's offer to add a Buddha).

The New York Times

He turned down two offers to become a roommate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he turned down" to clearly indicate the rejection of an offer, proposal, or opportunity. Ensure the context makes it clear what was rejected.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying what "he" turned down. For example, instead of saying "He turned down", say "He turned down the job offer" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he turned down" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a phrasal verb, where 'turned down' acts as a single semantic unit. It describes the action of rejecting or refusing something offered. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he turned down" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone rejected or refused an offer or opportunity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and is generally considered neutral in register. When using "he turned down", ensure clarity about what was rejected to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "he rejected" or "he declined" can be used for variety or to adjust the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he rejected

This alternative is more direct and concise.

he declined

This alternative offers a more formal tone.

he refused

This alternative implies a stronger unwillingness.

he passed up

This alternative suggests missing an opportunity.

he dismissed

This alternative implies rejection after consideration.

he rebuffed

This alternative suggests a blunt or abrupt rejection.

he spurned

This alternative conveys a disdainful rejection.

he said no to

This alternative uses a more casual phrasing.

he opted out of

This alternative emphasizes making a choice not to participate.

he wasn't interested in

This alternative expresses a lack of desire or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How to use "he turned down" in a sentence?

You can use "he turned down" to describe a situation where someone rejected an offer or proposal. For example, "He turned down the job" or "He turned down the invitation".

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

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

Is it appropriate to use "he turned down" in formal writing?

Yes, "he turned down" is appropriate in formal writing. However, more formal alternatives such as "he declined" might be preferred in some contexts.

What's the difference between "he turned down" and "he denied"?

"He turned down" means he rejected something offered, while "he denied" means he stated something was not true. For example, "He turned down the offer" versus "He denied the accusation".