request turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request turned down" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a situation where someone has denied or rejected a request. Example: "Her request for a raise was turned down by the manager." Alternative expressions include "request denied" and "request rejected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Within minutes the first player to fall foul of it had been identified when Ferguson confirmed that Rooney had requested a transfer and had that request turned down.

Independent

"He ummed and aahed and apparently did not make much sense" - Blackpool manager Ian Holloway explains how Liverpool director of football strategy Damian Comolli made an approach for Charlie Adam, who today had a transfer request turned down.

The Guardian - Sport

Bridcutt, 24, had a transfer request turned down after reported interest from Sunderland manager Gus Poyet.

BBC

Earlier this summer, he sought a month's bail to sit his first-year university examination - a request turned down by the judge who ordered the university officials and jail authorities to make arrangements for him to sit his exams inside prison.

BBC

By careful choice of the HLA types of donors, a bank of only 25 donors was able to supply cells to patients, with no request turned down solely on the basis of poor HLA matching.

British Journal of Haematology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He added: "Why were these FP requests turned down?

Independent

He says there is concern when you have "only 11 out of 34,000 requests turned down by the FISA court".

The Guardian

Foreign reporters, the report added, had seen their visa requests turned down or were pressured to provide positive coverage of the country.

Independent

Reports from Buenos Aires said the process was taking as much as an hour, with many people having their requests turned down.

BBC

On the social network side, Google is still denying the majority of de-listing requests — turning down 61% of Forget.me requests thus far.

TechCrunch

On 29 November 1918 the military governor of Apia requested assistance from Wellington; the request was turned down because all doctors were needed in New Zealand.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate this phrase in the passive voice to focus the reader's attention on the decision rather than the decision-maker.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase in contexts where "turn-down" refers to a physical service or adjustment. For example, in the hospitality industry, a "turn-down" refers to evening room preparation, and in electronics, it refers to reducing volume or intensity. Context is crucial to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The query "request turned down" primarily functions as a passive verb construction used to describe the rejection of a formal petition, proposal or application. According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct structure widely employed across diverse registers to report negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request turned down" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to report the denial of permission or proposals. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard expression across major publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is most effectively used in the passive voice to provide a neutral account of an administrative or personal rejection. Writers should be mindful of its context, ensuring it is not confused with physical "turn-down" services or mechanical adjustments. For more formal or legal reporting, alternatives like "request denied" may be preferred, but for general professional use, "request turned down" remains a reliable and authoritative choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request denied

Carries a more official and final tone often used in legal or formal administrative contexts.

request declined

Slightly more polite and softer than "turned down", frequently used in business correspondence.

request rejected

Stronger and more blunt than "turned down", implying a firm dismissal.

application rejected

Specifically used when the request is part of an official application process.

bid refused

Most common in commercial, financial or auction-based environments.

plea dismissed

Typically used in legal settings or contexts involving emotional appeals.

petition rebuffed

Suggests a sharp or unceremonious rejection of a collective or formal request.

proposal vetoed

Implies that the rejection came from a higher authority with specific power to block decisions.

proposal shot down

An idiomatic and much more informal way to describe a rejection.

request nixed

Informal or slangy expression often used in casual media headlines.

FAQs

What is another way to say "request turned down"?

Depending on the level of formality you need, you can use phrases such as "request denied", "request declined" or "request rejected".

How to use "request turned down" in a professional email?

In a professional setting, you might say "I regret to inform you that your "request was turned down"" or more politely, "your "request was declined"".

What's the difference between "request turned down" and "request rejected"?

While both mean a refusal, "request rejected" is often perceived as more forceful or blunt, whereas "request turned down" is a neutral reporting of the fact.

Can I use "request turned down" in academic writing?

Yes, it is acceptable, though academic texts often prefer more specific verbs like "application rejected" or "the proposal was not accepted" depending on the study's focus.