Key Difference – Reject vs Refuse
Reject and refuse are two verbs that have similar meanings. Both these verbs express one’s unwillingness to do something. The key difference between reject and refuse lies in their grammatical structure; reject is a transitive verb whereas refuse is both transitive and intransitive verb. Therefore, reject is only followed by nouns whereas refuse can be followed by both nouns and infinitive verbs.
What Does Refuse Mean?
Verb Refuse
Refuse is a verb that indicates one’s unwillingness to accept, or do something. For example, if you don’t want to accept a gift a stranger is trying to give you, you can refuse it. If you don’t want to do something your friend is telling you to do, you can refuse to do it. You’ll understand the meaning of this more clearly by looking at the following example sentences.
His mother punished him because he refused to answer her questions.
He refused help from anybody, determined to do it on his own.
She asked me to help her, but I refused.
He offered her a cigarette, but she refused haughtily.
I was refused admission to their mansion in Vauxhall.
The regional manager refused the promotion.
As seen from these examples, refuse can be followed by either a noun or a verb. For example, the verb is followed by an infinitive verb in the first example; in the second example, it is followed by a noun. However, this verb is most often followed by an infinitive verb.
Noun Refuse
The noun refuse refers to worthless or useless parts of something. This is synonymous to rubbish or leavings.
The people refused to accept the war.
What Does Reject Mean?
Verb Reject
Reject is a transitive verb that means to refuse to accept, believe, submit to, or use something. It could also mean to dismiss something as unacceptable, incorrect, or inadequate. This verb is always followed by a noun since it is a transitive verb. The following example sentences will help you to understand the meaning and usage of this verb more clearly.
The professor rejected my excuse for the late submission of the assignment.
He confessed that he felt rejected after the baby’s birth.
The board of directors has rejected the proposal presented by the production executive.
Half of the applicant were rejected straight away since they did not meet the minimum standards.
The college has rejected his application for a scholarship.
Noun Reject
The noun reject refers to a thing or person who has been dismissed as unacceptable or inadequate.
His loan application was rejected several times.
What is the difference between Reject and Refuse?
Meaning:
Reject: Reject refers to refusal to accept, believe, submit to, or use something. It could also mean to dismiss something as unacceptable, incorrect, or inadequate.
Refuse: Refuse indicates one’s unwillingness to accept, or do something.
Type of Verb:
Reject: Reject is a transitive verb.
Refuse: Refuse can be used as a transitive and intransitive verb.
Words that Proceed the Verb:
Reject: Reject is always followed by a noun.
Refuse: Refuse can be followed by a noun or an infinitive verb.
Noun:
Reject: The noun reject refers to a thing or person who has been dismissed as unacceptable or inadequate.
Refuse: The noun refuse refers to worthless or useless parts of something.
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