proposal was turned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proposal was turned" is not complete and lacks clarity in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a proposal has been rejected or dismissed, but it needs additional information for clarity. Example: "The proposal was turned down by the committee after much deliberation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Two years later, the proposal was turned down again.

The New Yorker

His proposal was turned down on the grounds that the CPRS was a non-political body.

The Guardian

Whatever the larger issues, at a time of brutal budget realities, Ms. Akman's proposal was turned down.

The New York Times

After Minerva's first proposal was turned down in 2008, Wandsworth council last year approved a revised redevelopment plan.

The Guardian - Business

Could I make a sculpture about death that was really about life?" His proposal was turned down, not surprisingly, so he is making it on his own.

The New Yorker

When he asks his corporate bosses for a share of gross profits, 'the proposal was turned down as flat as Twiggy's chest'.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It says it will walk away if its proposal is turned down.

The Economist

Slade says he plans to build a high-density housing development if the golf-club proposal is turned down.

The New Yorker

Carver's offer to adopt Randy is the final step in his maturity, and suggests he is growing up to fill Bunny Colvin's shoes, but his proposal is turned down for convincingly bureaucratic reasons.

The Guardian

The negotiations were simultaneous with Amani's negotiations, but our proposals were turned down by the agent".

The New York Times - Sports

In many businesses, a lack of communication and understanding between employees, management and finance teams can be the real reason budgets and proposals are turned down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "proposal was turned", ensure the context clearly indicates who rejected the proposal and, if possible, the reason for the rejection. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "proposal was turned" without specifying the reason or context of the rejection. Saying simply, "The proposal was turned" lacks informative value. Instead, provide details such as, "The proposal was turned down due to budget constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proposal was turned" acts as a passive construction, indicating that a proposal has been subjected to an action (rejection) by an unspecified actor. It functions to report the outcome of a proposal without emphasizing who performed the turning action, which Ludwig AI indicates is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proposal was turned" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a proposal has been rejected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. While the phrase is generally neutral, context is required to understand the reason for the rejection. For clarity, it's best to specify who turned the proposal down and why. If aiming for a more direct tone, consider alternatives like "proposal was rejected".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proposal was rejected

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

proposal was declined

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

proposal was not accepted

Uses a passive construction to indicate the proposal's failure.

the suggestion was refused

Replaces "proposal" with "suggestion" and "turned" with "refused", broadening the context slightly.

the plan was turned down

Substitutes "proposal" with "plan" and uses the phrasal verb "turned down", maintaining a similar level of formality.

the idea was dismissed

Replaces "proposal" with "idea" and "turned" with "dismissed", suggesting a more immediate rejection.

application was denied

Focuses on the act of denying, often used in formal settings like job applications.

the request was denied

Similar to "application was denied", but can apply to a wider range of requests.

the motion was defeated

Implies a formal rejection, typically within a structured debate or voting context.

the offer was refused

Highlights a refusal of an offer, maintaining a formal and direct tone.

FAQs

What does it mean when a proposal is described as "turned"?

When a proposal is described as "turned", it means that it has been rejected or refused. It did not gain acceptance or approval.

What can I say instead of "proposal was turned"?

You can use alternatives like "proposal was rejected", "proposal was declined", or "proposal was not accepted" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "proposal was turned down" or "proposal was rejected"?

Both "proposal was turned down" and "proposal was rejected" are acceptable. "Rejected" is more direct, while "turned down" can sound slightly less harsh. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Can "proposal was turned" have a different meaning in a specific context?

While generally meaning 'rejected', the phrase "proposal was turned" could, in rare cases, imply a transformation or adaptation of the proposal, though this usage is highly unusual and should be avoided to prevent confusion. Using alternatives such as "proposal was rejected" is much more clear.