to be refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be refused" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually followed by a noun or pronoun to indicate who or what is being refused. It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is not granted something they have requested or applied for. Example: The job offer was expected, but to his disappointment, it turned out to be refused. In this example, "to be refused" is used to show that the job offer was not given to the person who was expecting it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

As this allowed choices of procedures to be made and individual specific procedures to be refused we hoped that this would decrease the outright refusal to participate in the study.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

representative to be refused a visa by Belarus this year.

The New York Times

It leaves little or no room for the "ask" to be refused.

The New York Times

He arrived at Ellis Island, only to be refused entry because the quota for Romanian refugees had been surpassed.

The New York Times - Books

When hours passed, Bartmes traveled to Homan Square, only to be refused entry for nearly an hour.

The Guardian

For example, both sides say that they favor making it impossible for people with "preëexisting conditions" to be refused insurance.

The New Yorker

Statistics subsequently showed that Roma were 400 times more likely to be refused entry than non-Roma.

The Guardian

Kick It Out, however, have called for any supporter who "blacks up" to be refused entry to the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

The Treasury added that the information requested was likely to be refused because it probably triggered FoI exemptions.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Consider the paradox, for instance, of offers-meant-to-be-refused.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, he says to expect updates to begin to be refused, resulting in gradual obsolescence as hardware and iOS versions continue to change and software is no longer compatible with new versions.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be refused" when indicating a passive action where someone or something is denied a request, entry, or privilege. For instance, "The visa application was to be refused due to incomplete documentation."

Common error

Avoid using "to be refused" when an active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "He was to be refused entry by the guard", write "The guard refused him entry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be refused" functions primarily as a passive infinitive. It indicates a state of being denied or rejected. Ludwig AI shows it's grammatically sound, confirming its role in passive constructions across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be refused" is a common and grammatically correct passive infinitive used to indicate that someone or something is denied. Ludwig AI validates its usage across a variety of contexts, most frequently in news and media. When writing, use this phrase to show that the subject of your sentence is the recipient of a denial. Be mindful of instances where the active voice might provide a more direct and impactful expression. Consider alternatives like ""to be denied"" or ""to be rejected"" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be denied

Focuses on the act of withholding something from someone.

to be rejected

Emphasizes a strong disapproval or a negative response.

to be turned down

Implies a more informal or personal rejection.

to be declined

Suggests a polite or formal refusal.

to be vetoed

Indicates a rejection by someone with authority.

to be disapproved

Highlights a lack of official endorsement or agreement.

to be dismissed

Implies a disregard or a lack of consideration.

to be disallowed

Indicates that something is not permitted.

to be rebuffed

Suggests a blunt or abrupt rejection.

to be forbidden

Emphasizes that something is strictly prohibited.

FAQs

How can I use "to be refused" in a sentence?

You can use "to be refused" to indicate that someone or something is denied a request or opportunity. For example, "The loan application was "to be refused" because of the applicant's poor credit history."

What's a good alternative to "to be refused"?

Alternatives include "to be denied", "to be rejected", or "to be turned down", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to be refused" or "to refuse"?

"To refuse" is the active form, while "to be refused" is the passive form. Use "to be refused" when the subject receives the action, such as "The request was "to be refused" by the manager."

What is the difference between "to be refused" and "to be rejected"?

While both imply denial, "to be refused" often suggests a denial of access or a request, while "to be rejected" can imply a stronger disapproval or a negative evaluation. For example, an application might be "to be refused", while an idea might be "to be rejected".