Cool MateDeny vs Please those aren't my children vs Reject
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Deny
Please those aren't my children
Reject
| Deny | Please those aren't my children | Reject | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈnaɪ/","/dɪˈnaɪz/","/dɪˈnaɪd/","/dɪˈnaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈnaɪ/","/dɪˈnaɪz/","/dɪˈnaɪd/","/dɪˈnaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pliːz ðoʊz ɑːrnt maɪ ˈʧɪldrən//🇺🇸 //pliːz ðoʊz ɑːrnt maɪ ˈʧɪldrən// | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈdʒɛkt//🇺🇸 //rɪˈdʒɛkt// |
| Meaning | To say that something is not true or to refuse to accept something. | To say something is not true or not yours. | To say no to something or someone. |
| Example | She decided to deny the accusations made against her. | When asked about the kids playing nearby, she quickly said, 'Please, those aren't my children.' | She decided to reject the job offer due to low salary. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | 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 | please don't, not my first choice, not my responsibility | reject an offer, reject an idea, reject a proposal, reject a candidate |
| Antonyms | accept, acknowledge, admit | - | accept, embrace, approve |
| 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'. | Confused with 'please' as a request versus 'please' for emphasis., Misuse of 'aren't' in formal contexts where 'are not' is preferred., Omitting necessary context, making the statement unclear. | Confused with 'refuse' - 'reject' is more formal., Using 'reject' without an object - remember to say what is being rejected. |
| 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. | This phrase is often used to deny responsibility for something. It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may feel more casual. | Use 'reject' when declining offers, ideas, or proposals. It's appropriate in formal and informal settings but may sound harsh in personal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Deny vs Please those aren't my children vs Reject
What's the difference between Deny, Please those aren't my children, and Reject?
Deny: To say that something is not true or to refuse to accept something. Please those aren't my children: To say something is not true or not yours. Reject: To say no to something or someone.
Which is more common: Deny, Please those aren't my children, and Reject?
Deny is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Deny, Please those aren't my children, and Reject?
Deny is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Deny: She decided to deny the accusations made against her. Please those aren't my children: When asked about the kids playing nearby, she quickly said, 'Please, those aren't my children.' Reject: She decided to reject the job offer due to low salary.
Can I use Deny, Please those aren't my children, and Reject interchangeably?
Not always. Deny, Please those aren't my children, and Reject 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.