the request was denied

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'the request was denied' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something that someone has requested has not been granted. For example, "My request for a salary increase was denied by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The request was denied.

The New York Times - Arts

The request was denied him.

The Guardian

The order did not explain why the request was denied.

The New York Times

In December, the request was denied and the deportations resumed.

The New York Times

Politics and professional rivalries intervened, and the request was denied.

The New York Times

However, the request was denied by the British Horseracing Authority.

The Guardian - Sport

Morgan asked to speak one last time to his mother, but the request was denied.

The New Yorker

The request was denied by the secretary of the committee of arrangements.

The New York Times

But the request was denied, and, so, shortly after, was the license.

The New York Times - Sports

Manukyan protested the scoring and asked for a rematch, but the request was denied.

The New York Times - Sports

The request was denied and the judge told the jurors to prepare for their deliberations on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the request was denied" when you want to clearly and directly state that a formal or informal request has been turned down. It is suitable for a variety of contexts, from personal to professional communications.

Common error

Avoid using "the request was denied" when it's more appropriate to specify who denied the request. For example, instead of "The request was denied", write "The manager denied the request" for clarity and to give direct responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the request was denied" functions as a statement indicating that a previously made request has not been granted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase employs a passive construction, focusing on the action taken upon the request rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the request was denied" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a request has been turned down. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both professional and general communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who denied the request when necessary. Alternative phrases like "the application was rejected" or "permission was refused" can provide a more formal tone, while phrases such as "the request could not be accommodated" soften the message. The wide range of examples and authoritative sources demonstrate its versatility and reliability in conveying negative decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the application was rejected

Replaces "request" with "application" and uses "rejected" instead of "denied", emphasizing a formal refusal.

the plea was turned down

Substitutes "request" with "plea" and uses the phrasal verb "turned down", suggesting a more personal appeal was rejected.

permission was refused

Replaces "request" with the explicit subject of the request and uses "refused", highlighting the lack of consent.

the motion was defeated

Implies a formal vote or process led to the rejection, common in legal or parliamentary contexts.

the appeal was dismissed

Specific to appeals, indicating a higher authority declined to overturn a previous decision.

the proposition was declined

Suitable when referring to a proposed idea or plan that was not accepted.

the bid was unsuccessful

Applies to situations like auctions or tenders, where an attempt to win something was not successful.

authorization was withheld

Focuses on the lack of authorization or approval, often used in formal or official contexts.

access was restricted

Specifically indicates that access to something was not granted or was limited.

the claim was disallowed

Highlights that a claim, often for benefits or compensation, was deemed invalid.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the request was denied" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the application was rejected" or "permission was refused". These options often appear more professional in official communications.

What's a less direct way to say "the request was denied"?

If you want to soften the message, you could say "the request could not be accommodated" or "the request could not be approved". These options imply that there were reasons beyond a simple refusal.

Which is correct: "the request was denied" or "the request was refused"?

Both "the request was denied" and "the request was refused" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context.

How can I use "the request was denied" in a sentence?

You can use "the request was denied" in various sentences. For example, "Despite submitting all the required documents, "the request was denied"" or "Because of budget constraints, "the request was denied"."