tried to refuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tried to refuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an attempt to decline or reject something, often implying that the refusal was not successful. Example: "Despite his best efforts, he tried to refuse the offer, but ultimately he accepted it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Lovelorn Mark Sanford tried to refuse the president's stimulus money.

The New York Times

Then, I stuffed enough money into his hands — which he tried to refuse — to pay for his movie tickets.

The New York Times

Finally they met a doctor who tried to refuse to do a rape exam because no policewoman had accompanied them.

The New York Times

When he tried to refuse, his first meal of the day, a plate of cold, dry meat and stale bread, was taken away from him.

The New Yorker

The Luca Cumani-trained five-year-old's connections will not overstate what might have been, however, given how earnestly Afsare had tried to refuse the gate beforehand.

Independent

He said, 'I brought you here to do this job and you have to do it, whether you like the job or not.' I tried to refuse.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"I try to refuse anything that is common".

The New York Times - Travel

Try to refuse a smile to this track with its head-bopping beats.

The Guardian

You will try to refuse, and continue to go about your regular life.

The New Yorker

Try to refuse a smile to this track with its head-bopping beats – perfect to beat the jobseeker blues.

The Guardian

I'd try to refuse, but it was his way of showing he was looking out for me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is key, consider alternatives like "attempted to decline" or "made an effort to reject" to specify the degree of success in refusing.

Common error

Avoid using "tried to refuse" when you want to clearly state that the refusal was successful. In such cases, use stronger terms like "successfully refused" or "declined outright" to remove ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to refuse" functions as a verb phrase indicating an attempt to decline or reject something. It often implies that the refusal was not entirely successful or faced some form of resistance. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tried to refuse" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an attempt to decline or reject something, although it often suggests the refusal wasn't entirely successful. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and accepted. While generally neutral in register, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "attempted to decline" or more emphatic phrases like "made an effort to reject" for clarity. Understanding its implication and considering alternatives enhances precision in writing. With many examples available on Ludwig, you can explore its usage across various contexts to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to reject

Very similar but uses "reject" instead of "refuse".

attempted to decline

Formal alternative, emphasizing the action of turning something down.

made an effort to reject

Highlights the exertion required to refuse something.

sought to reject

More formal and literary, implies a deliberate decision to reject.

resisted accepting

Focuses on the act of resisting rather than refusing.

endeavored to decline

Very formal, suggests a serious and considered refusal.

aimed to turn down

Less formal, indicating a goal to refuse something.

fought to decline

Implies a struggle or opposition in refusing.

hesitated to accept

Highlights the uncertainty before refusing.

was reluctant to accept

Similar to 'hesitated', suggesting unwillingness.

FAQs

How can I use "tried to refuse" in a sentence?

The phrase "tried to refuse" is used to indicate an attempt to reject or decline something. For example, "He "tried to refuse" the offer, but his boss insisted he accept it."

What are some alternatives to saying "tried to refuse"?

You can use alternatives like "attempted to decline", "made an effort to reject", or "sought to reject" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "tried refusing" instead of "tried to refuse"?

While "tried refusing" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different nuance. "Tried to refuse" implies an attempt to perform the action of refusing, whereas "tried refusing" suggests experimenting with the act of refusal to see if it works or feels right.

What's the difference between "tried to refuse" and "refused"?

"Tried to refuse" indicates an attempt to decline, which may or may not have been successful. "Refused", on the other hand, indicates a completed action of declining. For example, "He "tried to refuse" the gift" suggests he might have ended up accepting it, whereas "He refused the gift" means he definitively declined it.