rejecting the proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rejecting the proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is dismissing or refusing a specific idea or suggestion. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee is rejecting the proposition to increase the budget for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Malcolm Turnbull said the two countries were as one in rejecting the proposition that "might is right".

The Guardian

During the debate on the Senate floor over Marshall's nomination, Senator Edward Kennedy argued stirringly against consideration of judicial philosophy, rejecting the proposition that nominees should be confirmed only if their views "coincide with our own".

The New York Times

Pereira Mendes also announced that the UOJCA would "unite" with the UAHC and other national "religious, philanthropic, or educational" Jewish organizations in Washington "to discuss the subjects of vital concern to Judaism and Jews", while rejecting the proposition that "the main topic of the discussion at the first congress shall be the immigration problem".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Gore rejected the proposition.

The New York Times

He rejected the proposition that PR would lead to weaker governments based on incompatible coalitions.

The Guardian

In the program, Judge Sotomayor also rejected the proposition that minorities must become advocates of "selection by merit alone".

The New York Times

"I fundamentally, absolutely reject the proposition that there was nothing that could have been done on orbit".

The New York Times

Greengrass rejects the proposition but there is a sense that up against the CGI of superheroes, there is a need to make Bourne superhuman and the action overblown.

The Guardian - Film

The court rejected the proposition that an executive's knowledge of accounting and desire to meet corporate revenue targets can be sufficient to establish the intent to commit a crime.

The New York Times

Kennan had rejected the proposition of an inherent American-Soviet harmony from the moment it was put forward and repeatedly criticized what he considered Washington's excessively accommodating stance on Soviet territorial advances.

The New York Times - Books

The State Supreme Court upheld the ban in May, but the timing of the federal case has some advocates for same-sex marriage arguing that a failure there could damage their efforts to persuade voters to reject the proposition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rejecting the proposition" when you want to clearly indicate a deliberate and reasoned refusal of a specific idea or suggestion. Ensure the context provides sufficient background on the proposition being rejected.

Common error

Avoid using "rejecting the proposition" in informal contexts where a simpler phrase like "disagreeing with" or "dismissing" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rejecting the proposition" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It conveys the act of refusing or dismissing a specific idea or suggestion. Ludwig examples showcase its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rejecting the proposition" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a gerund phrase, typically expressing a formal disagreement or refusal. While not overly common, it finds consistent use in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, with a tendency towards a neutral to formal register. Consider using alternatives like "disagreeing with the suggestion" or "dismissing the idea" in more casual settings. Ludwig's examples provide valuable context on its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagreeing with the suggestion

Focuses on the act of disagreeing, highlighting the difference of opinion regarding the suggestion.

opposing the view

Highlights a position of conflict or disagreement with a particular viewpoint.

dismissing the idea

Emphasizes the act of discarding or disregarding the idea as not worthy of consideration.

refuting the argument

Highlights the act of proving the argument to be false or incorrect.

contesting the assertion

Implies a challenge or dispute of a statement or declaration.

declining the offer

Focuses on the refusal of a proposal or opportunity presented.

denying the claim

Emphasizes the act of stating that something is not true or does not exist.

repudiating the concept

Suggests a strong rejection and disavowal of a particular concept or principle.

turning down the recommendation

Focuses on refusing a suggestion or advice given.

spurning the proposal

Implies rejecting something with disdain or contempt.

FAQs

How can I use "rejecting the proposition" in a sentence?

You can use "rejecting the proposition" to indicate a formal disagreement or refusal of an idea. For example: "The committee is "rejecting the proposition" to increase the budget."

What's the difference between "rejecting the proposition" and "disagreeing with the idea"?

"Rejecting the proposition" implies a more formal and decisive refusal, whereas "disagreeing with the idea" suggests a difference of opinion that might not necessarily lead to a complete dismissal. "Rejecting the proposition" often involves a formal process or reasoned argument.

What can I say instead of "rejecting the proposition"?

You can use alternatives like "disagreeing with the suggestion", "dismissing the idea", or "refuting the argument" depending on the context.

Is "rejecting the proposition" suitable for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "rejecting the proposition" is relatively formal. In informal conversations, consider using simpler alternatives such as "disagreeing with" or "turning down the idea" for a more natural tone.