Common Mistakes : Deny

verb

.BAD: He asked his parents to help him, but they denied
.GOOD: He asked his parents to help him, but they refused

.BAD: When she denied to wear the uniform, she was dismissed
.GOOD: When she refused to wear the uniform, she was dismissed

: deny sth = say that it is not true
.He has been accused of stealing a car, but he denies it
.Both companies denied that they had been discharging toxic waste

: refuse (to do sth) = say that you will not do it
.Employers are refusing to discuss a pay settlement until the staff return to work
.The students were told to leave the building, but they refused

.BAD: She asked him if he had seen a little boy but he denied
.GOOD: She asked him if he had seen a little boy but he said he hadn’t

: ( You deny an accusation or claim (NOT a question
.The accused denied both charges
.He denied being anywhere near the scene of the crime

.BAD: She accused him of cheating but he denied
.GOOD: She accused him of cheating but he denied it

: Deny is a transitive verb
.He denied that he forged the signature
.He denied having forged the signature
.He denied it