"Refuse" is to actively decline to do something; "reject" is to dismiss or turn down someone or something that is offered or applied.
Verb. To actively decide not to do something or not to accept something. The subject makes the decision themselves. Focuses on the act of saying no. Structure: refuse + to + infinitive.
She refused to sign the contract without reading it first.
Ella se nego a firmar el contrato sin leerlo primero.
He refused all offers of help. He wanted to do it alone.
El rechazo todas las ofertas de ayuda. Queria hacerlo solo.
The child refused to eat vegetables no matter what.
El nino se nego a comer verduras sin importar que.
Verb. To dismiss, turn down, or not accept someone or something that was proposed, applied for, or submitted for approval. A third party evaluates and says no. The one rejecting holds a position of authority or decision over the rejected thing.
His application was rejected because he lacked the required experience.
Su solicitud fue rechazada porque le faltaba la experiencia requerida.
She felt hurt after being rejected by the university she had always dreamed of.
Ella se sintio herida despues de ser rechazada por la universidad con la que siempre sono.
The editor rejected the manuscript after reviewing the first chapter.
El editor rechazo el manuscrito despues de revisar el primer capitulo.
Common mistake
Common error: "The company rejected to hire me." Wrong — "reject" does not take an infinitive. Correct: "The company refused to hire me" (the company chose not to act) or "My application was rejected" (the application was turned down). Note: "He refused my proposal" is correct — someone actively said no. "He rejected my proposal" is also correct — someone evaluated and dismissed it.
Trick to remember it
Refuse = the subject's own act of saying no. Reject = the decision of whoever has the power to accept or discard. Refuse takes an infinitive: "refuse to do." Reject takes a direct object: "reject the offer," "reject the candidate." When an application, resume, or proposal is evaluated and turned down = reject. When someone decides not to participate or not to accept = refuse.
Quick rule
Refuse = I say no (my own action). Reject = someone in authority discards something or someone.
Did you know?
"Reject" has an informal use as a noun: "a reject" = someone or something that was not accepted or is considered inferior. It is quite informal and can be offensive. Another noun: "refusal" = the formal act of declining something: "His refusal to cooperate delayed the project." And "rejection" = the act of rejecting: "Dealing with rejection is part of the process."
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
After reviewing fifty applications, the committee _____ all but three candidates.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He _____ to answer the journalist's questions about the scandal.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Refuse = I say no (my own action). Reject = someone in authority discards something or someone.
Common error: "The company rejected to hire me." Wrong — "reject" does not take an infinitive. Correct: "The company refused to hire me" (the company chose not to act) or "My application was rejected" (the application was turned down). Note: "He refused my proposal" is correct — someone actively said no. "He rejected my proposal" is also correct — someone evaluated and dismissed it.
Refuse = the subject's own act of saying no. Reject = the decision of whoever has the power to accept or discard. Refuse takes an infinitive: "refuse to do." Reject takes a direct object: "reject the offer," "reject the candidate." When an application, resume, or proposal is evaluated and turned down = reject. When someone decides not to participate or not to accept = refuse.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy