was refused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was refused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was denied a request or an offer in the past. Example: "Her application for the scholarship was refused due to incomplete documentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was refused.

The Economist

Again, he was refused.

The New Yorker

Bail was refused.

The New York Times

Initially, he was refused.

Independent

Help was refused by Pres.

The New Yorker

She was refused.

The Guardian

"That was refused".

The New York Times

The group was refused.

The New York Times

The offer was refused.

The Guardian

But I was refused an American visa".

The New Yorker

The application was refused on September 29.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was refused", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what was refused and the reason for the refusal to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences like "The request was refused" without specifying why. Providing the reason enhances understanding and prevents misinterpretations. For example, instead of "The request was refused", write "The request was refused due to insufficient evidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was refused" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something received the action of being denied. Ludwig examples showcase this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was refused" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that communicates the denial of a request or offer. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and applicable across various registers, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. When employing "was refused", clarity is crucial; ensure the subject and reason for refusal are clearly stated. Alternatives such as ""was denied"" or ""was rejected"" offer similar meanings, though the choice may depend on context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was denied

Uses a synonym for 'refused', maintaining the passive voice and similar meaning.

was rejected

Employs another synonym for 'refused', preserving the passive construction and intended sense.

request was declined

Substitutes "refused" with "declined", indicating a more formal tone while retaining the original meaning.

application was turned down

Replaces "refused" with a phrasal verb, specifying that an application was the subject.

offer was declined

Specifically refers to an offer being turned down, providing context to the refusal.

was not granted

Uses a different verb ('granted') to express the lack of approval or acceptance.

met with refusal

Changes the grammatical structure to use a noun ('refusal') but keeps the core meaning.

did not receive approval

Rephrases the concept of refusal by stating the absence of approval.

permission was withheld

Focuses on the act of withholding permission, offering a slightly different emphasis.

access was restricted

Highlights the limitation of access, which is an implied consequence of being refused something.

FAQs

How can I use "was refused" in a sentence?

You can use "was refused" to indicate that a request, application, or offer was denied. For example, "His application for the loan "was refused" due to a low credit score".

What can I say instead of "was refused"?

Alternatives include "was denied", "was rejected", "was turned down", or "was declined", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was refused" or "is refused"?

"Was refused" is the past tense passive form and is used for actions that occurred in the past. "Is refused" is the present tense passive form, used for ongoing or habitual situations. For example, "His entry "was refused" yesterday" versus "Entry "is refused" to anyone without a valid ID".

What's the difference between "was refused" and "was rejected"?

While both indicate denial, "was refused" often implies a specific request or offer was not accepted. "Was rejected" can have a broader sense, implying something was deemed unsuitable or inadequate. For example, "The visa application "was refused"", versus "The proposed solution "was rejected" as impractical".