refuse permission

USAGE SUMMARY

"refuse permission" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means to deny or decline someone's request for permission. For example, "The police officer refused permission to enter the building without a warrant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The authority may well refuse permission again and for good reasons.

The Guardian

The planning authority and elected councillors are then quite likely to refuse permission.

The Guardian

Reproductive human cloning is not technically illegal in Britain, but the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority would certainly refuse permission.

The Guardian

It is hoped that such qualifications will allow women whose male relatives refuse permission for them to enter the workplace to still have the opportunity to work.

Independent

Up to 10 families have said they will refuse permission for their children to take part in the trip, due to go ahead on 7 May.

Independent

The jury in Federal District Court in Brooklyn rejected claims that the surgery was unnecessary and that doctors had improperly found Mr. Kanyi psychologically incompetent to refuse permission.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The council refused permission.

Independent

It refused permission.

The Guardian - Tech

Several times he refused permission.

The Guardian

However the lender has refused permission.

Independent

But the local council has refused permission.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refuse permission", ensure the context clearly indicates who is refusing and what permission is being denied. For example, "The council refused permission for the construction of the new building."

Common error

Avoid using "refuse permission" when a simple 'no' or 'denied' would suffice. "Refuse permission" is most appropriate when a formal request or application is involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "refuse permission" is as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a clause, indicating the act of denying authorization. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts where authority is withheld.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

The Guardian - Opinion

3%

BBC

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refuse permission" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses the denial of authorization. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, with applications also found in scientific and general discussions. The phrase carries a neutral register and is suitable for conveying a decision against granting a request or application, especially when authority is involved. Related phrases like "deny authorization" or "withhold consent" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deny authorization

Focuses on the act of denying a formal authorization.

reject request

Emphasizes the rejection of a specific request.

withhold consent

Highlights the act of withholding agreement or approval.

decline to allow

Indicates a decision not to permit something.

veto approval

Implies a more formal or authoritative rejection.

turn down application

Specifically relates to rejecting a formal application.

not grant access

Focuses on the denial of access to something.

disallow entry

Denies the ability to enter.

prohibit allowance

Formally forbids something from being allowed.

inhibit passage

Prevents or hinders the passage of something.

FAQs

What does "refuse permission" mean?

"Refuse permission" means to deny or decline someone's request or application for authorization to do something.

How can I use "refuse permission" in a sentence?

You can use "refuse permission" in a sentence like: "The school principal "declined to allow" the students to leave early" or "The landlord "did not grant access" to the storage room".

What are some alternatives to "refuse permission"?

Some alternatives to "refuse permission" include "deny authorization", "reject request", or "withhold consent". Each alternative has slightly different connotations.

Is there a difference between "refuse permission" and "deny permission"?

While "refuse permission" and "deny permission" are similar, "refuse" can sometimes imply a more direct or immediate rejection, whereas "deny" might suggest a more formal or reasoned refusal. However, they are often used interchangeably.