refused opportunities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refused opportunities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe situations where someone has declined or not taken advantage of available chances or possibilities. Example: "Despite the numerous offers from various companies, she refused opportunities that did not align with her career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He also refused opportunities to take part in film events as a backing dancer, with actor Sriman revealing that Vikram was "one amongst not many" who was not interested in travelling to Canada to participate in such shows.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you look at the L.T.T.E., it's a case of them arrogantly refusing opportunities.

The New Yorker

I refused important opportunities to become manager of important clubs because I like being England manager".

The Guardian - Sport

When half of the world's population is subject to daily discrimination and refused equal opportunities, it does not just hold back women, but civilization as a whole.

Huffington Post

"SFAACC asserts that African American neighborhoods are seldom promoted by the San Francisco Travel Association SFTAandAfricanicAmericancan businesses are often refused contract opportunities," it stated in a press release.

Huffington Post

McIlroy refused the opportunity to whinge about his situation.

The Guardian - Sport

He added that he was unaware of any case in which a defense lawyer had been refused an opportunity to represent clients at Parwan.

The New York Times

Welby refused an opportunity to criticise Iain Duncan Smith on welfare reform, but he was unequivocal in support of the church's work with food banks and against inequality.

The Guardian

I was 12 years old when I was first taunted with, then refused, the opportunity to play with my twin brother's footy team.

The Guardian - Sport

Tellingly, Strachan refused the opportunity to confirm he will remain in charge for another campaign, this time for the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

David Cameron has defended his refusal to launch an investigation into Jeremy Hunt, insisting the culture secretary acted "wisely and fairly", but refused an opportunity to say he would keep Hunt in his job beyond the London Olympics.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refused opportunities", ensure the context clearly indicates why the opportunities were declined. Providing a reason enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "refused opportunities" in overly casual settings. While grammatically correct, it carries a somewhat formal tone. Opt for alternatives like "passed up chances" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refused opportunities" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, typically acting as the object of a sentence. It describes the action of declining or rejecting available chances or possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refused opportunities" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of declining available chances. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's most commonly found in news, wiki, and science contexts. Alternatives like "declined opportunities" or "rejected opportunities" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to consider the level of formality and the reasons behind the refusal to enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined opportunities

Replaces "refused" with "declined", maintaining a formal tone but implying a slightly less assertive rejection.

rejected opportunities

Substitutes "refused" with "rejected", suggesting a more forceful and decisive denial of the opportunities.

turned down opportunities

Uses the phrasal verb "turned down", providing a more informal and direct way of saying refused.

passed up opportunities

Uses "passed up" instead of "refused", indicating a neglect or failure to seize available opportunities.

forgone opportunities

Employs "forgone", highlighting the voluntary relinquishment of the opportunities.

missed out on opportunities

Replaces "refused" with "missed out on", focusing on the negative consequence of not taking the opportunities.

gave up opportunities

Focuses on the act of surrendering the opportunities, suggesting a sacrifice or loss.

walked away from opportunities

Implies a deliberate decision to abandon potential chances, suggesting a level of intentionality.

shunned opportunities

Indicates an avoidance or deliberate rejection of available chances, often with a negative connotation.

spurned opportunities

Conveys a sense of disdain or contempt in rejecting the opportunities.

FAQs

What does "refused opportunities" mean?

It means that someone has declined or not taken advantage of chances or possibilities that were available to them.

What can I say instead of "refused opportunities"?

You can use alternatives like "declined opportunities", "rejected opportunities", or "passed up opportunities" depending on the context.

Is "refused opportunities" a formal phrase?

Yes, it is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, phrases like "missed out on opportunities" might be more appropriate.

How to use "refused opportunities" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite the numerous offers from various companies, she "refused opportunities" that did not align with her career goals."