long refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long refused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been consistently denied or rejected over an extended period of time. Example: "The proposal for the new policy has long refused to gain the necessary support from the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The French government long refused.

The New York Times

Her illustrious family has long refused to discuss her.

The New York Times - Arts

India has long refused any international mediation of the conflict.

The New York Times

The Palestinians have long refused to negotiate with Israel without a halt in settlement construction.

The New York Times

I've long refused to hide my sexuality or to be ashamed of who I am.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Australian government has long refused to "comment on operational matters".

The Guardian - Opinion

Ilana Blum came to acknowledge the father whose death she had long refused to accept.

The New York Times

(François Mitterrand had long refused, his friend René Bousquet having organised the roundups of Jews).

The Guardian - Opinion

The Palestinians have long refused to return to the negotiating table unless Israel halts the construction of settlements.

The New York Times

Mr Allawi demands that the Mahdi Army disarm and disband, a condition Mr Sadr has long refused to accept.

The Economist

JOHN GRISHAM, a prolific author of legal thrillers, long refused to allow his books to be sold in electronic form.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long refused" to clearly indicate a prolonged or consistent rejection, emphasizing the duration of the refusal. It is suitable when highlighting a historical pattern or ongoing stance.

Common error

Avoid using "long refused" when a simple "refused" is sufficient. The phrase is most effective when the duration or consistency of the refusal is a key aspect of the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long refused" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating the duration of the act of refusing. It modifies the verb to emphasize the prolonged nature of the refusal. Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long refused" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a sustained denial or rejection over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most commonly in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the duration of the refusal is a key aspect of the message to justify its use, avoiding overuse in simple rejections. Semantically related alternatives such as "long declined" and "persistently rejected" provide nuanced options for expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long declined

Replaces "refused" with "declined", suggesting a more polite or formal rejection.

persistently rejected

Emphasizes the continuous and determined nature of the rejection.

consistently denied

Highlights the unwavering nature of the denial over time.

repeatedly turned down

Indicates multiple instances of rejection, focusing on the act of refusal.

steadfastly resisted

Conveys a strong and firm opposition to something.

for a long time wouldn't

Rephrases the refusal using a more descriptive and less direct construction.

historically opposed

Highlights a past pattern of resistance or disagreement.

previously declined

Focuses on a past decision to refuse something.

customarily rejected

Indicates that the refusal is a matter of custom or habitual practice.

traditionally disallowed

Implies that the refusal is based on tradition or established rules.

FAQs

How can I use "long refused" in a sentence?

The phrase "long refused" indicates a sustained denial or rejection over an extended period. For instance, "The company "long refused" to comment on the allegations."

What are some alternatives to "long refused"?

Alternatives include "long declined", "persistently rejected", or "consistently denied". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "long refused"?

Yes, "long refused" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe a sustained refusal over time. Ludwig AI also confirms that this expression is correct.

What is the difference between "long refused" and simply "refused"?

"Refused" indicates a single act of rejection, while "long refused" emphasizes that the refusal has been ongoing or repeated over a significant period. The latter highlights the duration and consistency of the denial.