turns down

USAGE SUMMARY

"turns down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an action or decision. For example: "The committee turned down my proposal for a new health initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He turns down alloffers.

The New Yorker

The owner turns down the cash.

The New York Times - Arts

He turns down every offer.

The New York Times

He generally turns down interview requests.

The New York Times - Sports

Nearby, a car turns down Newington Street.

The Guardian

Drogba twists and turns down the left.

The Guardian - Sport

She turns down offers and opportunities daily.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With rare exceptions, he turns down offers of overt sponsorship.

The New Yorker

These he turns down lest they expire midoperation.

The New York Times

He turns down a job maybe once a year.

The New Yorker

When the economy turns down, the opposite will happen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turns down" to clearly indicate a rejection or refusal, especially when referring to offers, proposals, or opportunities.

Common error

Avoid incorrect preposition usage. "Turns down" is correct; avoid constructions like "turns down to" which are grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turns down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb indicating the rejection of something offered or proposed. Ludwig AI identifies its correct and usable nature, supported by various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turns down" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express the rejection of an offer or proposal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. Common alternatives include "rejects", "declines", and "refuses". The phrase is relatively simple and direct, and its meaning is consistent across different applications. Remember to use "turns down" when the subject is in the third-person singular and to avoid adding unnecessary prepositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rejects

Simple verb expressing denial or refusal.

declines

Formal verb implying a polite refusal.

refuses

Direct verb indicating unwillingness to accept.

denies

Verb expressing the refusal to grant something requested.

rebuffs

Implies a blunt or abrupt rejection.

dismisses

Indicates rejection after consideration, often implying unimportance.

vetoes

Suggests an authoritative rejection or prohibition.

turns away

Phrase that can refer to rejecting people or opportunities.

quashes

Means to reject or suppress completely.

takes a nosedive

Figurative language indicating a sharp decrease or rejection of progress.

FAQs

How do I use "turns down" in a sentence?

"Turns down" is typically used to indicate that someone rejects an offer or proposal. For example, "He "turns down" every offer".

What can I say instead of "turns down"?

You can use alternatives such as "rejects", "declines", or "refuses", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "turns down" or "turn down"?

"Turns down" is the third-person singular present tense form, used with subjects like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. "Turn down" is used for other subjects (I, you, we, they).

What's the difference between "turns down" and "turns away"?

"Turns down" typically refers to rejecting an offer or proposal. "Turns away" can mean to reject someone (e.g., "turns away refugees") or to physically turn in another direction.