English grammar
Deny (that)… — plus doubt (that), recapped
Deny a rumour and report denials and doubts, using deny and doubt.
From the scene He denied it was true
In short
Deny (that) says something isn't true; doubt (that) says it probably isn't.
Your turn
Which one goes with denied it was + noun (a claim called false)?
Options: I flatly deny that this resident is me · I doubt there is another resident who talks that much · he denied it was his mistake
Show answer
denied it was + noun (a claim called false) → he denied it was his mistake
How it works
Deny (that) + clause says something isn't true: I flatly deny that this resident is me.
Good to know
He denied it was his mistake reports a claim as false.
Good to know
Doubt (that) + clause, which you have met before, says you think something probably isn't so: I doubt there is another resident like that.
Good to know
Correct a misquote with I didn't say (that) + clause.
deny (that) + clause I flatly deny that this resident is me
Elena
I flatly deny that this resident is me.
Yo niego rotundamente que esa vecina sea yo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: He denied it was his mistake · I doubt there is another resident who talks that much · I flatly deny that this resident is me
Show answer
Elena
I flatly deny that this resident is me.
Yo niego rotundamente que esa vecina sea yo.
denied it was + noun (a claim called false) he denied it was his mistake
Ramón
He denied it was his mistake. He says he has a source.
Negó que fuera un error suyo. Dice que tiene una fuente.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). He says he has a source.
Options: I flatly deny that this resident is me · I doubt there is another resident who talks that much · He denied it was his mistake
Show answer
Ramón
He denied it was his mistake. He says he has a source.
Negó que fuera un error suyo. Dice que tiene una fuente.
doubt (that) + clause I doubt there is another resident who talks that much
Tomás
But I doubt there is another resident who talks that much.
Pero dudo que haya otra vecina que hable tanto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
But (blank).
Options: He denied it was his mistake · I doubt there is another resident who talks that much · I flatly deny that this resident is me
Show answer
Tomás
But I doubt there is another resident who talks that much.
Pero dudo que haya otra vecina que hable tanto.
deny + it (a report) I rang the paper and denied it
Your turn
What goes with I rang the paper and denied it?
Options: deny + it (a report) · deny (that) + clause · denied it was + noun (a claim called false)
Show answer
I rang the paper and denied it → deny + it (a report)
I didn't say (that) + clause (correcting a misquote) I didn't say I wanted to sell
Ramón
I didn't say I wanted to sell. I said I had to think about it.
Yo no dije que quisiera vender. Dije que tenía que pensarlo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). I said I had to think about it.
Options: I flatly deny that this resident is me · He denied it was his mistake · I didn't say I wanted to sell
Show answer
Ramón
I didn't say I wanted to sell. I said I had to think about it.
Yo no dije que quisiera vender. Dije que tenía que pensarlo.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| deny (that) + clause | I flatly deny that this resident is me |
|---|---|
| denied it was + noun (a claim called false) | he denied it was his mistake |
| doubt (that) + clause | I doubt there is another resident who talks that much |
| deny + it (a report) | I rang the paper and denied it |
| I didn't say (that) + clause (correcting a misquote) | I didn't say I wanted to sell |
More lines from the story
- ElenaExcuse me! Besides, I only talked to him for half an hour.¡Oiga! Además, solo hablé con él media hora.
- TomásAnd what did the journalist say?¿Y qué le contestó el periodista?