refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has declined or rejected something, such as an offer or request. Example: "She refused to accept the terms of the contract, believing they were unfair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She refused.

The New York Times

An Oxford University spokesperson said: "The university is robustly defending this application on all grounds and Ms Ramey's application has already been refused permission on the papers.

The Guardian

The Labour MP Austin Mitchell has refused to apologise for likening the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to "rapists" over its controversial takeover of AstraZeneca.

The Guardian

They have refused requests from the police negotiators to leave the balcony".

The Guardian

He refused to elaborate.

The New York Times

Back home, his wife, Mary, given the news that Tom was missing, presumed wounded, refused to accept the inevitable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Sierra Leone ministry of health refused to share data in the early outbreak and instructed the WHO to report only lab-confirmed deaths, thereby excluding the "probable" and "suspect" cases that could not be tested because of the lack of testing facilities.

The Guardian

Enraged by a string of perceived refereeing injustices, Napoli's players refused to attend the post-game medal ceremony.

The Guardian - Sport

"The fact that Indonesia for a long time refused to even acknowledge that there was a double standard in their insistence that Australia was infringing their sovereignty by appealing for clemency, while at the same time appealing for clemency for its own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, that has been really quite damaging from Australia's point of view," he said.

The Guardian

The Guardian published the story after the Daily Telegraph refused to for fear of offending its readers, even after the paper had paid a substantial sum to secure the exclusive rights.

The Guardian - Books

This is the first time the government has admitted the boat's existence after both Morrison and the Australian prime minister repeatedly refused to comment on its whereabouts, citing national security interests under Australia's hardline military-led border regime.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refused", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being denied or rejected to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "he refused", specify "he refused the offer".

Common error

Avoid using "refused" when the action is ongoing. Use the present tense "refuses" or a continuous tense construction instead. For example, instead of "he refused to listen now", use "he refuses to listen now" or "he is refusing to listen".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "refused" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "refuse." As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates the action of declining or rejecting something previously. Its usage aligns with Ludwig AI's determination of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "refused" functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "refuse", indicating the act of declining or rejecting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and frequently used term across various contexts. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media sources, conveying information about past rejections or denials. While adaptable to both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to ensure clarity regarding what was being refused to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "declined" or "rejected" can be used based on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined

A more polite or formal way of saying "refused", suggesting a courteous rejection.

declined to

Emphasizes the action of choosing not to do something, rather than simply rejecting a request.

rejected

Indicates a firm and often explicit refusal, implying a stronger sense of opposition.

denied

Suggests a refusal to grant something requested or claimed, often implying a lack of validity.

turned down

An informal way to say "refused", commonly used in everyday conversation.

was unwilling to

Highlights the lack of willingness as the reason for refusal.

rebuffed

Implies a blunt or abrupt refusal, often causing discouragement or offense.

spurned

Indicates a rejection with disdain or contempt, suggesting a strong dislike or lack of respect.

stood firm against

Implies resisting something with determination and refusing to yield.

vetoed

Indicates a refusal based on authority or power to prevent something from happening.

FAQs

How can I use "refused" in a sentence?

You can use "refused" to indicate that someone or something declined to do something. For example, "She "refused to comment" on the matter" or "The company "refused to accept" the terms of the agreement".

What's a more formal alternative to "refused"?

A more formal alternative to "refused" is "declined". For example, "The ambassador "declined to answer" the question" conveys a similar meaning with a slightly more polite tone.

What is the difference between "refused" and "rejected"?

"Refused" typically implies a denial of a request or offer, while "rejected" suggests a stronger disapproval or dismissal. For instance, you might "refuse" an invitation, but you would "reject" a proposal that is unacceptable.

Is it correct to say 'have refused' or 'had refused'?

Both "have refused" and "had refused" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Have refused" is present perfect tense (e.g., "They "have refused" to cooperate"), while "had refused" is past perfect tense (e.g., "They had refused to cooperate before the negotiations began").