he was refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was refused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone was denied something, such as entry, assistance, or a request. Example: "Despite his efforts to gain access, he was refused entry to the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Again, he was refused.

The New Yorker

Initially, he was refused.

Independent

He was refused tests and sent home.

The Economist

He was refused asylum and became homeless.

The Guardian

After he was arrested, he was refused bail.

The New Yorker

He was refused a mortgage at the megabanks.

The Economist

Twice excommunicated by the church, he was refused Christian burial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We brought in a surveyor but he was refused access".

The Guardian

If he was refused, he would soon return with blankets.

The New York Times

He was refused entry – so none of them came.

The Guardian - Music

When he arrived in Pakistan, he was refused entry and returned to the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid monotony, use synonyms such as "he was denied" or "his request was turned down" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating who did the refusing. Instead of "he was refused", specify who refused him, such as "the bank refused him a loan."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was refused" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone experienced the action of being denied something. Ludwig examples showcase a variety of contexts where individuals were denied requests, entry, or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was refused" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that someone was denied something. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows that it's frequently used in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, clarity is key: ensure the context makes it clear what was being refused. Considering alternative phrases such as "he was denied" or "his request was turned down" can add variety to your writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was denied

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of being denied something.

his request was denied

Focuses on the request itself being denied, rather than the person.

he was rejected

Implies a stronger sense of being turned down, often in a competitive context.

his application was turned down

Specifies that an application was rejected.

he was not allowed

Emphasizes the lack of permission.

he was not granted permission

More formal way of expressing lack of permission.

he was turned away

Suggests a physical rejection, such as from a door or border.

his access was restricted

Focuses on limiting access rather than a complete refusal.

he failed to obtain

Highlights the lack of success in getting something.

he was unsuccessful in acquiring

More formal and elaborate way of expressing failure to obtain something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he was refused"?

You can use alternatives like "he was denied", "he was rejected", or "his request was denied depending on the context.

How to use "he was refused" in a sentence?

You can use "he was refused" to indicate that someone's request, entry, or something else was denied. For example, "He was refused entry at the border" or "He was refused a loan by the bank".

Is it better to say "he was refused" or "he was denied"?

Both "he was refused" and "he was denied" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, though "denied" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "he was refused" and "he was rejected"?

"He was refused" generally means a request or something specific was denied. "He was rejected" often implies a more comprehensive turning down, possibly in a competitive or social context. For example, he was refused a visa versus he was rejected by the university.