chose not to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

'chose not to answer' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when somebody has been asked a question but opts not to answer it. For example: When asked about his plans for the future, John chose not to answer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

They chose not to answer questions regarding his birth family.

Harvard University

Again, Pompeo chose not to answer it directly.

The Washington Post

So he chose not to answer many of them.

The New York Times

"Some of them he answered, and some of them he chose not to answer".

The New York Times

"I would note that she chose not to answer the question that I asked," he said when she finished.

The New York Times

But when asked if that was effectively his stand, a smiling Mr. Nasseri chose not to answer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Cosby has chosen not to answer the accusations, and on Friday night dismissed them as "innuendos".

Independent

You can choose not to answer or to answer "no religion".

The Guardian - Tech

Researchers say he might have fallen asleep, lapsed out of consciousness, or chosen not to answer.

MIT Technology Review

The candidate, after all, can simply choose not to answer a reporter's questions about a certain topic.

The New York Times

Wilpon's banks have chosen not to answer questions about the lawsuit or its portrayal of Wilpon and his partners.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chose not to answer", ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the choice and what question they are avoiding. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "chose not to answer" without specifying to whom the question was posed. For instance, instead of "He chose not to answer", specify "He chose not to answer the reporter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chose not to answer" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a deliberate decision to avoid providing a response. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying that the subject made a choice to remain silent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chose not to answer" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes a deliberate decision to avoid responding to a question. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science", it maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to clearly specify who is making the choice and to which question they are not responding, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "declined to respond" or "refused to answer" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined to respond

Emphasizes a formal refusal to give an answer.

refused to answer

Highlights the unwillingness to provide an answer.

opted to remain silent

Focuses on the choice of staying quiet instead of answering.

elected not to comment

Suggests a formal decision to not provide commentary or information.

preferred not to say

Indicates a personal preference to withhold information.

evaded the question

Highlights the act of avoiding a direct response.

side stepped the issue

Implies skillfully avoiding addressing the core of the question.

remained unresponsive

Focuses on the lack of any reaction or answer.

did not address the query

Emphasizes the lack of attention given to the question.

ignored the question

Stresses that the question was deliberately overlooked.

FAQs

What does "chose not to answer" mean?

The phrase "chose not to answer" indicates a deliberate decision to withhold a response to a question or inquiry. It implies that the person had the option to answer but consciously decided against it.

Is "chose not to answer" grammatically correct?

Yes, "chose not to answer" is grammatically correct. The verb 'chose' is the past tense of 'choose', and it is correctly followed by the infinitive phrase 'not to answer'.

What are some alternatives to "chose not to answer"?

You can use alternatives like "declined to respond", "refused to answer", or "opted to remain silent" depending on the context.

How do I use "chose not to answer" in a sentence?

You can use "chose not to answer" to describe someone's decision to not respond to a question. For example: "When asked about the allegations, the CEO chose not to answer".