0
Guest Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
*Reject, refuse, refute
Could you explain to me the difference between "refuse" ,"reject" and "refute"?
Top answer
'Refute' is easy-- it is used mostly of argument, and means the offering of proofs or evidence against a statement or belief. 'Reject' and 'refuse' are not so easily separated, even though the phrase 'reject and refute' repeatedly occurs in religious and quasi-legal Englishes. They are often used interchangeably, and I have an idea that choice in use is often idiomatic.
- 'Refute' is easy-- it is used mostly of argument, and means the offering of proofs or evidence against a statement or belief.
- 'Reject' and 'refuse' are not so easily separated, even though the phrase 'reject and refute' repeatedly occurs in religious and quasi-legal Englishes.
- They are often used interchangeably, and I have an idea that choice in use is often idiomatic.
- Some common collocations: Refuse admission/a second helping Refuse/reject an offer Refuse/reject a gift.
- Reject an excuse/an application/a suitor It occurs to me that 'refuse' means 'not to admit', while the stronger 'reject' (as its Latin root reveals) means to 'throw back' forcefully.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
'Refute' is easy-- it is used mostly of argument, and means the offering of proofs or evidence against a statement or belief.
'Reject' and 'refuse' are not so easily separated, even though the phrase 'reject and refute' repeatedly occurs in religious and quasi-legal Englishes. They are often used interchangeably, and I have an idea that choice in use is often idiomatic.
Some co
'Reject' and 'refuse' are not so easily separated, even though the phrase 'reject and refute' repeatedly occurs in religious and quasi-legal Englishes. They are often used interchangeably, and I have an idea that choice in use is often idiomatic.
Some co
00
refute: disprove (a statement or argument); demonstrate that a statement is false
I say that the word "strawberry" comes from "straw" and "berry", a berry found in straw. Can you refute my claim?
refuse: say "no" to an offer; opposite of "accept" (say "yes")
I offered to help Bill load the wood onto the truck . He refused my offer to help. He re
I say that the word "strawberry" comes from "straw" and "berry", a berry found in straw. Can you refute my claim?
refuse: say "no" to an offer; opposite of "accept" (say "yes")
I offered to help Bill load the wood onto the truck . He refused my offer to help. He re
0
Related Questions