it was refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was refused" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something was denied or not accepted, often in formal or legal contexts. Example: "The application for the grant was submitted last month, but unfortunately, it was refused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was refused.

The Economist

The attendant offered her a blanket; it was refused.

The New York Times

"It was refused by some member states," he said without naming names.

The New York Times

"I said to the Americans, 'Give us the Predators.' It was refused.

The New Yorker

"The marchers had asked to conduct a peaceful march and it was refused.

The New York Times

It was refused, and Lansky returned to America, where he stood trial, and was acquitted.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was refusing to exercise judgment.

The New Yorker

But last month, Consumer Reports told Mr. Fitzgerald that it was refusing to renew the subscriptions.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, the British government announced that it was refusing to extradite computer hacker Gary McKinnon to the United States.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was refusing to follow a police officer's orders.

Huffington Post

It now does not want to ask for help, only to find that it is refused.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was refused" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the rejection, highlighting that something was acted upon rather than who did the refusing. This is particularly useful in formal reports or legal documents where objectivity is important.

Common error

Avoid using "it were refused", as "it" is a singular pronoun and requires the singular verb form "was". Stick to "it was refused" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was refused" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the subject "it") underwent the action of being refused by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was refused" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, employed to indicate that something has been denied or rejected. Its passive construction lends a formal tone, making it suitable for various contexts, including news reports, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. While interchangeable with alternatives like "it was rejected" or "it was denied", "it was refused" carries a slightly more neutral connotation. When writing, remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and consider the nuances of passive voice for clarity and objectivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was rejected

Replaces "refused" with a direct synonym, maintaining the passive voice and similar meaning.

it was denied

Another synonym for "refused", offering a slightly less formal tone while retaining the core meaning.

the request was turned down

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the request being rejected, rather than the action of refusing.

permission was not granted

Focuses on the lack of permission, implying refusal without explicitly stating it.

the application was declined

Specifically relates to applications being rejected, suitable for formal contexts.

it did not receive approval

Highlights the absence of approval, suggesting that the request was not accepted.

the offer was declined

Specifically relates to offers being rejected, suitable for business contexts.

they rejected it

Shifts to active voice, indicating that someone or some entity did the rejecting.

it met with a refusal

Uses a more formal and indirect construction to convey the rejection.

it was not accepted

Offers a more general way to say something was refused, suitable for various contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was refused" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "permission was not granted" or "the application was declined", which provide a similar meaning with a heightened sense of formality.

What are some common situations where "it was refused" is used?

"It was refused" is often used when discussing applications, requests, or proposals that have been rejected. For example: "The visa application was submitted, but "it was refused"." or "The offer was made, but "it was refused"."

Is there a difference between "it was refused" and "it was rejected"?

While "refused" and "rejected" are often interchangeable, "rejected" can sometimes carry a slightly stronger connotation of disapproval. "It was rejected" might imply that something was deemed unsuitable or inadequate, whereas ""it was refused"" simply means it was not accepted.

Can "it was refused" be used in active voice?

No, "it was refused" is inherently passive. To express the same idea in active voice, you would need to restructure the sentence. For example, instead of ""it was refused"", you could say "they refused it".