consent not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consent not to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone agrees to refrain from doing something or to not give permission for an action. Example: "I hereby consent not to participate in the study due to personal reasons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I'd return the money on the 1st of the month, if you consent not to laugh too much at that promise.

The New York Times - Books

Moten had agreed to meet so that I could ask him about his newest books, three dense volumes of critical writing, written in the course of fifteen years, and gathered under the name "consent not to be a single being".

The New Yorker

GNM shall not make any adaptations to the text which alter its sense or amend any facts contained in the text without Your prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

The Guardian

GNM shall notify You promptly in writing on receipt of any claim which if substantiated would constitute a breach of the warranties in Clause 5. GNM shall not compromise or settle any such claim without Your consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

The Guardian

Thus, for instance, contract theorists (Richards 1971) describe principles of supererogation as those that ideal contractors in the original position would consent not to enforce in society.

SEP

If the closing of the transaction does not occur immediately following signing, the nature of the business covenants applicable between signing and closing (a seller wants these to be limited and reasonable, with the ability of the company to get consents if changes are needed, with the consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"My soul consents not to give sovereignty," another.

The New York Times - Arts

They also offered Ms. Harbatkin complete accounts if she consented not to publish the names.

The New York Times

The Turkish government consented not to build the planned shopping mall, but swiftly proceeded to crush most dissent.

The Guardian

Certain rivers ran too fast to be usable but were allowed to do so when they consented not to flood at the Des Moines Conference.

The New York Times - Books

The Turkish government consented not to build a planned shopping mall in one of the last green spaces in the centre of the city, but quickly went on to crush most dissent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scenarios where consent is implied but not explicitly given, using "consent not to" can clarify a party's position and prevent misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid assuming that silence or inaction implies consent. Always seek explicit consent or clearly state your "not consent to" position to prevent potential disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consent not to" primarily functions as a verb phrase introducing an infinitive, expressing a decision to withhold permission or agreement. Ludwig's examples show its use in both formal and informal contexts, where consent is explicitly denied.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

9%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consent not to" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for explicitly withholding permission or agreement. Though not overly common, its presence across diverse contexts—from News & Media to Academia—validates its appropriateness in formal communications. Ludwig AI affirms that it adheres to standard English usage. For clearer, more direct alternatives, consider "agree not to" or "refuse to consent". When employing "consent not to", especially in legal or formal documents, ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity and to accurately convey your intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree not to

Replaces "consent" with "agree", simplifying the phrase while retaining the core meaning of withholding agreement.

permit not to

Substitutes "consent" with "permit", focusing on the act of withholding permission rather than agreement.

refuse to consent

Emphasizes the refusal aspect, making the phrase more assertive than the original.

decline to consent

Similar to "refuse to consent", but carries a slightly more formal tone.

withhold consent

Highlights the act of holding back consent, rather than a simple lack of agreement.

not give consent

Directly states the absence of consent, removing any ambiguity.

opt out of

Implies a choice to withdraw from a situation requiring consent.

choose not to consent

Emphasizes the active choice of withholding consent.

not agree to

Replaces "consent" with the more general term "agree", broadening the scope of the phrase.

object to

Expresses opposition, implying a strong reason for withholding consent.

FAQs

What does "consent not to" mean?

The phrase "consent not to" means to withhold permission or agreement for a particular action or decision. It indicates a deliberate choice not to allow something to happen.

How is "consent not to" used in legal documents?

In legal documents, "consent not to" is used to specify actions that a party does not agree to or permit. This ensures clarity and prevents unauthorized actions. For example, "The company shall "not consent to" any alterations without prior written approval."

Are there alternatives to the phrase "consent not to"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "refuse to consent", "decline to consent", or "withhold consent". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "not consent" or "consent not to"?

"Consent not to" is generally more formal and grammatically structured. "Not consent" can sometimes sound less precise, especially in legal or official contexts. However, both forms are used and understood.