it was turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was turned down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a proposal, request, or offer that has been rejected or declined. Example: "The job application was submitted last month, but unfortunately, it was turned down due to a lack of experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An alternative route was proposed, but in view of its additional cost of £72,000 it was turned down, and the Ministry of Fuel and Power gave the line the go-ahead.

Wikipedia

In the aftermath of the Hatfield crash, Gerald Corbett, its chief executive, offered his resignation, although it was turned down by the Railtrack board.

The Economist

It was turned down.

Independent

Again, it was turned down.

The Guardian

It was turned down by another 12.

The Guardian - Books

It was turned down by publishers.

The New York Times - Books

I see a bubble!" It was turned down.

The New Yorker

It was turned down by every West End theatre.

The Guardian

"We started at ITV and it was turned down".

The Guardian

It was turned down 18 times before it reached Oneworld.

The Guardian - Books

It was turned down by every glass company in America.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was turned down" when you want to convey a sense of finality in the rejection. This passive construction emphasizes the action taken upon something, rather than who rejected it, which can be useful in various contexts.

Common error

While "it was turned down" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider using active voice for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was turned down" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (e.g., a proposal, request, or idea) has been rejected. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was turned down" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has been rejected. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, makes it a versatile phrase. While neutral in tone, remember to avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Consider alternatives like "it was rejected" or "it was declined" based on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was rejected

Replaces "turned down" with the more direct synonym "rejected".

it was declined

Substitutes "turned down" with "declined", offering a slightly more formal tone.

it was refused

Uses "refused" in place of "turned down", emphasizing a firm rejection.

the offer was declined

Specifies that an "offer" was declined, providing more context.

the proposal was rejected

Clarifies that a "proposal" was rejected, adding specificity.

the request was denied

Indicates that a "request" was denied, making the reason for rejection clearer.

it did not pass

Employs a more indirect expression to indicate failure to be accepted.

it failed to gain approval

Highlights the lack of approval as the reason for rejection.

it met with disapproval

Focuses on the negative reception the subject received.

it was not accepted

Simply states that the subject was not accepted, without specifying why.

FAQs

How can I use "it was turned down" in a sentence?

You can use "it was turned down" to indicate that a proposal, request, or offer has been rejected. For example, "The funding proposal "it was turned down" due to budget constraints".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was turned down"?

Alternatives include "it was rejected", "it was declined", or "it was refused". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it was turned down" formal or informal?

"It was turned down" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it was declined" might be preferred in certain professional settings.

What is the difference between "it was turned down" and "it was rejected"?

While similar, "it was turned down" often implies a more casual or nuanced rejection, whereas "it was rejected" can suggest a more definitive or forceful refusal. The subtle difference depends on context.