Legal Writing

Rebut, Refute, Deny

By Sharon

There’s often confusion between rebut and refute and both words may be misused when deny is most appropriate. It’s true that they all have to do with negation, but that’s where the similarity ends.

To deny a statement is simply that. If I say ‘all dogs are grey’, then if you deny or contradict that statement all you have to do is say: ‘No, they’re not.’

However, if you wanted to rebut my statement, you would have to provide a well thought out and reasoned argument that suggests that I might be wrong. This is used in debates, where speakers present evidence that supports a counter argument.

In order to refute my statement about dogs, you would have to prove it wrong, perhaps by showing me a dog of a different color.

Rebut, Refute, Deny

Full post as published by Daily Writing Tips on July 03, 2008 (boomark / email).