was turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was turned down' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a request, suggestion, or application that was rejected. For example: She submitted an application to graduate school, but it was turned down.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was turned down.

The New York Times

He was turned down.

The New York Times

It was turned down.

Independent

Its request was turned down.

The New York Times

The demand was turned down.

The New York Times

The film was turned down.

The New Yorker

The request was turned down.

The Economist

This was turned down.

The New Yorker

Was turned down again.

The New York Times

He was turned down in 2004.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

All were turned down.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was turned down" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the rejection, focusing on the entity that experienced the rejection rather than the entity that did the rejecting. For example: "Her application was turned down, despite her qualifications."

Common error

Avoid replacing "was turned down" with an active voice construction when you intend to emphasize the recipient of the rejection. For example, instead of saying "They turned down her application" which focuses on 'they', using "Her application was turned down" keeps the focus on 'her application'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was turned down" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received a negative response to a request, application, or offer. As exemplified by Ludwig, this construction is common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was turned down" is a versatile and commonly used passive voice construction used to indicate rejection or refusal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the construction, consider whether you wish to emphasize the recipient of the rejection, rather than the entity that rejected it. Alternatives such as "was rejected" or "was refused" may be considered, depending on the context and desired formality. It's essential to avoid misusing the active voice when the passive construction is more appropriate to achieve desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was rejected

Direct synonym indicating refusal or non-acceptance.

was not accepted

Highlights the lack of acceptance or willingness to receive.

was refused

Similar to "was rejected", but can also imply denial of permission.

was denied

Implies a more formal refusal, often involving rights or privileges.

was not granted

Focuses on the failure to receive something requested or desired.

was not approved

Focuses on the lack of official endorsement or authorization.

did not pass muster

Indicates a failure to meet the required standards or expectations.

met with disapproval

Emphasizes the negative reaction or opposition encountered.

was rebuffed

Suggests a blunt or dismissive rejection.

was given the thumbs down

An informal expression for rejection or disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "was turned down" in a sentence?

You can use "was turned down" to describe something that has been rejected. For example: "The proposal "was turned down" by the committee."

What are some alternatives to "was turned down"?

Some alternatives include "was rejected", "was refused", or "was denied". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was turned down" and "was rejected"?

While both phrases indicate a negative response, "was turned down" can sometimes imply a less formal or decisive rejection than "was rejected". The nuance depends heavily on context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying something "was turned down"?

Using the passive voice ("was turned down") emphasizes the object being rejected, while the active voice (e.g., "they turned it down") emphasizes the actor doing the rejecting. Choose the voice that best suits your intended focus.