Cool MateReject vs To deny our own impulses
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reject
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
To deny our own impulses
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Reject
| Reject | To deny our own impulses | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈdʒɛkt//🇺🇸 //rɪˈdʒɛkt// | 🇬🇧 //tə dɪˈnaɪ aʊər əʊn ˈɪmpʌlsɪz//🇺🇸 //tə dɪˈnaɪ aʊər oʊn ˈɪmpʌlsɪz// |
| Meaning | To say no to something or someone. | To say we do not feel or want something inside us. |
| Example | She decided to reject the job offer due to low salary. | Many of us choose to deny our own impulses for fear of judgment. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | reject an offer, reject an idea, reject a proposal, reject a candidate | deny feelings, deny desires, deny instincts, deny oneself, deny the truth |
| Antonyms | accept, embrace, approve | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'refuse' - 'reject' is more formal., Using 'reject' without an object - remember to say what is being rejected. | Confusing 'deny' with 'refuse'. 'Deny' is about feelings, while 'refuse' is about actions., Using 'denied' incorrectly in past tense without a clear subject., Misunderstanding the phrase as just denying something external instead of internal impulses. |
| Usage notes | Use 'reject' when declining offers, ideas, or proposals. It's appropriate in formal and informal settings but may sound harsh in personal situations. | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Common in discussions about feelings and self-control. Avoid in casual settings when discussing light emotions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Reject vs To deny our own impulses
What's the difference between Reject and To deny our own impulses?
Reject: To say no to something or someone. To deny our own impulses: To say we do not feel or want something inside us.
Which is more common: Reject and To deny our own impulses?
Reject is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Reject: She decided to reject the job offer due to low salary. To deny our own impulses: Many of us choose to deny our own impulses for fear of judgment.
Can I use Reject and To deny our own impulses interchangeably?
Not always. Reject and To deny our own impulses 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.