Refuse vs Refuse

• Refuse (to decline) – Verb

• Refuse (garbage) – Noun

Pronunciation

These words are heteronyms, meaning they are spelled the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings.

• Refuse (Verb): Pronounced /rɪˈfjuːz/ (rih-FYOOZ) — To decline.

• Refuse (Noun): Pronounced /ˈrɛfjuːs/ (REH-fyoos) — Garbage.

Listen to the audio. Notice how the pronunciation changes based on the meaning.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Instruction

Read each sentence aloud and practice identifying the meaning of "refuse" in context.
Can you tell which “refuse” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. He will refuse to answer any more questions.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

2. The workers collected the refuse from the streets.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

3. She refused to participate in the discussion.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

4. The landfill was overflowing with refuse from the city.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

5. They refuse to compromise on their principles.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

6. The refuse in the alley created a bad smell.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

7. He refused to sign the contract without reading it.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

8. The refuse bins were emptied every morning.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

9. The students refuse to accept unfair rules.
   a. To decline
   b. Garbage

10. The park was cleaned of refuse after the festival.
    a. To decline
    b. Garbage

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Refuse (to decline)

1. She will refuse to accept anything less than the best. (Stress refuse to emphasize her stance.)

2. They refuse to back down from their position. (Highlight refuse to show determination.)

3. He politely refused the invitation to the event. (Emphasize refused to show the action.)

Refuse (garbage)

1. The refuse in the bin was starting to smell. (Stress refuse to highlight the waste.)

2. Workers collected the refuse from the streets. (Highlight refuse to focus on the garbage.)

3. The landfill was full of toxic refuse. (Emphasize refuse to show the seriousness.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking.

Refuse (to decline):

1. Firmly refuse: Shows a strong or definitive denial.

   • Tip: Highlight firmly to emphasize determination.

   • Sentence: She had to firmly refuse the unfair offer.

2. Refuse politely: Suggests a respectful denial.

   • Tip: Stress politely to show courtesy.

   • Sentence: He chose to refuse politely to avoid conflict.

3. Refuse completely: Indicates total rejection.

   • Tip: Highlight completely to show the finality.

   • Sentence: They decided to refuse completely without hesitation.

Refuse (garbage):

1. Toxic refuse: Refers to harmful waste.

   • Tip: Emphasize toxic to highlight danger.

   • Sentence: The factory released toxic refuse into the river.

2. Household refuse: Describes typical waste from homes.

   • Tip: Highlight household to specify the type of garbage.

   • Sentence: The bins were full of household refuse after the weekend.

3. Refuse collection: Focuses on the act of gathering waste.

   • Tip: Stress collection to emphasize the action.

   • Sentence: The city scheduled regular refuse collection to maintain cleanliness.

Things to Remember:

The word "refuse" is used in different contexts:

• Refuse (to decline): Commonly used with phrases like "firmly refuse," "refuse politely," or "refuse completely."

  • Example: He had to firmly refuse the unreasonable request.

• Refuse (garbage): Often paired with terms like "toxic refuse," "household refuse," or "refuse collection."

  • Example: The refuse bins were emptied early in the morning.