refuse to see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuse to see" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone's deliberate refusal or unwillingness to acknowledge or recognize something. Example: She refused to see the truth about her husband's infidelity, even when presented with concrete evidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some men refuse to see the point.

Independent

If you do, I will refuse to see you".

The New Yorker

But I refuse to see their lives in that light.

The New Yorker

I just refuse to see another generation go that way".

The New Yorker

I refuse to see the "male-driven" reboot of Ghostbusters.

Independent

I refuse to see this as losing our mission".

The New York Times

Parents refuse to see their children transformed into old people.

The New Yorker

I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.

The New York Times

"They cannot refuse to see you based on your inability to pay".

The New York Times

If the Europeans refuse to see themselves as part of this struggle, fine.

The Economist

But the most relevant parallel is one that European leaders refuse to see.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to see" to emphasize a deliberate choice not to acknowledge something, often due to denial or unwillingness to accept reality.

Common error

Avoid using "refuse to see" when simply stating a lack of understanding. Opt for phrases like "fail to understand" or "do not comprehend" instead, which are more neutral.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to see" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate decision to ignore or deny something. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it expresses a conscious rejection of information or a situation, often due to denial or unwillingness to accept reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refuse to see" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a deliberate unwillingness to acknowledge or recognize something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While it is a versatile phrase, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding overuse in neutral situations where simple lack of understanding is meant. Alternatives such as "decline to acknowledge" or "choose to ignore" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. "Refuse to see" carries a negative connotation and implies a conscious and intentional rejection of reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn a blind eye to

Suggests a deliberate ignoring of something, often something negative.

choose to ignore

Highlights the active decision to disregard something.

be unwilling to recognize

Highlights a reluctance to accept or admit something.

willfully overlook

Implies a conscious decision to ignore something, even though it's known.

decline to acknowledge

Emphasizes a formal rejection of acknowledgment.

cannot bring oneself to see

Shows an emotional inability to accept something.

disregard intentionally

Focuses on the deliberate nature of ignoring something.

fail to perceive

Indicates an inability to understand or notice something.

reject the notion

Denotes a firm rejection of an idea or concept.

dismiss from consideration

Indicates that something is being rejected as unworthy of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "refuse to see" in a sentence?

You can use "refuse to see" to indicate someone's unwillingness to acknowledge or recognize something. For example, "Despite the evidence, he continued to "refuse to see" his own faults".

What does it mean to "refuse to see" something?

To ""refuse to see"" something means to deliberately ignore or deny something, even when the evidence is clear. It suggests a strong unwillingness to acknowledge reality.

What can I say instead of "refuse to see"?

Alternatives to ""refuse to see"" include phrases like "decline to acknowledge", "turn a blind eye to", or "choose to ignore", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "refuse to see" and "fail to see"?

"Refuse to see" implies a deliberate and conscious decision to ignore something, while "fail to see" suggests an inability to understand or perceive something, often without intentionality.