Cool MateDeny vs He refused to share them
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Deny
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
He refused to share them
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Deny
| Deny | He refused to share them | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈnaɪ/","/dɪˈnaɪz/","/dɪˈnaɪd/","/dɪˈnaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈnaɪ/","/dɪˈnaɪz/","/dɪˈnaɪd/","/dɪˈnaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈfjuːz//🇺🇸 //rɪˈfjuz// |
| Meaning | To say that something is not true or to refuse to accept something. | He didn't want to give them to others. |
| Example | She decided to deny the accusations made against her. | He refused to share them with his friends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | adamantly, emphatically, fiercely, cannot, try to, no one could deny (that)…, no one would deny (that)…, there is no denying something, adamantly, emphatically, fiercely, cannot, try to, no one could deny (that)…, no one would deny (that)…, there is no denying something, cruelly, effectively, routinely, to | refuse a request, refuse to answer, refuse to comply, refuse assistance, refuse to participate |
| Antonyms | accept, acknowledge, admit | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Deny' is sometimes incorrectly used as a noun, e.g., 'a deny'., Confused with 'refuse' - 'deny' is more about truth, while 'refuse' is about willingness., Learners may forget to use an object with 'deny'. | Confusing 'refuse' with 'decline' (more formal), Using 'refuse' without 'to' and a verb., 'Refuse' should not be used with the gerund form. |
| Usage notes | Use 'deny' when someone refuses to accept a fact or truth. It is common in both spoken and written English, but can be less suitable in very casual conversations. | Use 'refuse' in neutral contexts; avoid in overly formal writing. It's more common in spoken English. |
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Frequently asked questions: Deny vs He refused to share them
What's the difference between Deny and He refused to share them?
Deny: To say that something is not true or to refuse to accept something. He refused to share them: He didn't want to give them to others.
Which is more common: Deny and He refused to share them?
Deny is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Deny: She decided to deny the accusations made against her. He refused to share them: He refused to share them with his friends.
Can I use Deny and He refused to share them interchangeably?
Not always. Deny and He refused to share them are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.