this was denied by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was denied by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a statement, claim, or request has been rejected or not accepted by someone or something. Example: "The allegations were serious, but this was denied by the accused party during the hearing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was denied by Smith.

The New York Times - Sports

This was denied by Johannesson.

The Guardian - Business

This was denied by villagers.

The Guardian

This was denied by the authors.

The Guardian

All this, was denied by Johnson & his supporters.

The New Yorker

This was denied by his aides and State Department spokesmen.

The New York Times

This was denied by the Ministry of Defence.

The Guardian

This was denied by the Scots, and the English demand for the regent's dismissal was refused.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was denied by Vang and CIA officers who worked alongside him.

Independent

Interfax said Georgian troops had entered Tskhinvali, but this was denied by Georgia.

The Guardian

This was denied by Hall and the hearing was due to resume on Thursday, but was settled the previous night.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain objectivity, consider alternatives like "this was disputed by" or "it was not confirmed by" when a direct denial might seem biased or accusatory.

Common error

Avoid vague attributions like "this was denied by sources". Always specify the source of the denial to maintain credibility and avoid misleading the reader. If you don't have the name of the source, it's always better to say something like "officials representatives" etc, depending on the nature of who's making the denial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was denied by" serves as a declarative construction used to indicate the rejection or contradiction of a statement or claim. As shown by Ludwig, it connects a previous assertion with the entity that is refuting it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was denied by" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a previous statement or claim has been rejected by a specific entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to dispute information and attribute the source of the denial. While suitable for neutral contexts such as news reporting and encyclopedic entries, clarity and specificity in attributing the denial are essential for maintaining credibility. Alternatives like "this was refuted by" or "this claim was dismissed by" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality, enhancing the writer's ability to convey precise nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was refuted by

Replaces "denied" with "refuted", suggesting a more forceful or reasoned rejection.

this was rejected by

Substitutes "denied" with "rejected", indicating a firm refusal or non-acceptance.

this was contradicted by

Replaces "denied" with "contradicted", implying a direct opposition or inconsistency.

this claim was dismissed by

Focuses on the "claim" being dismissed, rather than a simple denial.

this was disputed by

Uses "disputed" instead of "denied", suggesting an argument or debate over the statement.

this allegation was countered by

Specifically addresses an "allegation" and uses "countered" to show a response against it.

the assertion was challenged by

Highlights the "assertion" and indicates it was "challenged", implying scrutiny and questioning.

it was not confirmed by

Takes a more neutral stance by stating that something was not confirmed, rather than directly denied.

they contested this

Uses a more active voice, showing that "they" actively contested the statement.

they disagreed with this

Indicates a disagreement rather than a direct denial, suggesting a difference in opinion.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "this was denied by"?

You can use alternatives like "this was refuted by", "this was rejected by", or "this claim was dismissed by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does the formality of "this was denied by" compare to its alternatives?

The phrase "this was denied by" is generally suitable for neutral and formal contexts. For more formal settings, "this was refuted by" might be more appropriate. For less formal contexts, "they disagreed with this" could be a better fit.

In what situations is it best to use "this was denied by"?

Use "this was denied by" when you want to clearly state that a claim, statement, or request has been explicitly rejected or contradicted by a specific entity. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about who is doing the denying and why.

Is it always necessary to specify who denied something?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who denied something enhances clarity and credibility. Without a clear source, the denial may lack authority and impact. Vague attributions can weaken your statement.