reject an offer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reject an offer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that you are not accepting a proposal someone has made. For instance, "After considering the terms of the job offer, I decided to reject the offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The board may find it hard to reject an offer.

The Guardian - Business

A Russian buyer recently expressed interest, although the government would probably reject an offer from that quarter too.

The Economist

The argument was that boards were in the best place to decide whether to accept or reject an offer.

The New York Times

Even though the money gained is completely free and unearned, the second subject will often reject an offer perceived as unfair.

The New Yorker

She noted that the report discloses that American support has prompted former Soviet scientists at about 15 labs to reject an offer to cooperate with states like Iran.

The New York Times

While the members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada voted to reject an offer from Bell on July 12, negotiations are continuing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They rejected an offer of $295,000 as inadequate.

The New York Times

Thrunet earlier rejected an offer from Hanaro Telecom, an Internet provider.

The New York Times

Mrs. Grun rejected an offer for part-time work.

The New York Times

She rejected an offer of about $400,000 below asking price.

The New York Times

The government rejected an offer from a South African-Canadian-American-British consortium known as Kafue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "reject an offer" when you want to clearly and decisively state that a proposal will not be accepted. For a more casual tone, consider "turn down an offer".

Common error

Avoid using "reject an offer" in contexts where a simpler word like "decline" or "refuse" would be more appropriate. Overusing "reject" can make your writing sound unnecessarily harsh or formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reject an offer" functions as a verb phrase, where "reject" is the transitive verb and "an offer" is the direct object. It is used to express the act of not accepting a proposal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, with numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reject an offer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that clearly communicates the declination of a proposition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through numerous examples. While suitable for formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. Usage spans various domains, including news, business, and general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline an offer

A more formal and polite way to "reject an offer".

turn down an offer

A more casual and common alternative to "reject an offer".

refuse an offer

Implies a more direct and possibly abrupt refusal.

spurn an offer

Suggests rejecting the offer with disdain or contempt.

pass up an offer

Implies missing out on an opportunity by rejecting it.

dismiss an offer

Suggests quickly rejecting the offer without much consideration.

rebuff an offer

Similar to "refuse", but can also imply a blunt or hostile rejection.

not accept an offer

A more literal and less idiomatic way to express the same meaning.

deem an offer unacceptable

Focuses on the offer's perceived inadequacy as the reason for rejection.

give an offer the thumbs down

A very informal and visual way of saying "reject an offer".

FAQs

What can I say instead of "reject an offer"?

You can use alternatives like "decline an offer", "turn down an offer", or "refuse an offer" depending on the context.

Is it too formal to say "reject an offer" in everyday conversation?

While "reject an offer" is perfectly understandable in everyday conversation, it might sound a bit formal. Simpler alternatives like "turn down an offer" or "pass on an offer" may be more appropriate.

When is it best to use "reject an offer" in writing?

"Reject an offer" is best used in formal writing, such as business correspondence, legal documents, or news reports, where a clear and decisive tone is required.

What's the difference between "reject an offer" and "refuse an offer"?

While both phrases mean to decline a proposal, "reject an offer" often implies a more considered decision, while "refuse an offer" can suggest a more immediate or possibly stubborn denial.