decline the chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline the chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of refusing an opportunity or offer. Example: "After careful consideration, I decided to decline the chance to participate in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He was far from the only Labour MP to decline the chance to articulate despair about the party's prospects.

The Guardian - Opinion

Later, he will decline the chance to take part in follow-up interviews, saying he's busy rehearsing a stage play.

The Guardian - Film

The 56-year-old will decline the chance to return to Chelsea, where he was formerly manager, to become the west London club's director of football if offered the post, contrary to reports.

The Guardian - Sport

But the majority of my colleagues thought it would be crazy to decline the chance to get an anti-war message out to millions of viewers.

Huffington Post

16 As cognitive training has become more popular as a therapeutic and preventive nonpharmacological intervention for people with cognitive decline, the chance of aged people with related training recruited into clinical trials involving cognitive interventions will increase in the future.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The renter, who had declined the chance to purchase, refused to grant access.

The New York Times

Yesterday, she was watching TV while Catherine was dressing and so declined the chance to help.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even when Cornyn is asked to assess Kirk's tenure as mayor of Dallas, he declines the chance to deride.

The New Yorker

Andrey had been a boxer and Tanya a gymnast, but they had both declined the chance to turn professional.

The New Yorker

The Dodgers hold a 2014 option on their contract with Mattingly, who declined the chance to frame the loss in personal terms.

The New York Times - Sports

With 17 seconds left, the Raiders declined the chance to get him a little closer and instead ran Michael Bush right for no gain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline the chance", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being refused and why, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "decline the chance" is generally acceptable, consider the audience and context. In highly formal settings, more precise language might be preferable, while in informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "pass up the opportunity" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline the chance" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase. It expresses the act of refusing or rejecting a specific opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decline the chance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the refusal of an opportunity. Ludwig AI validates its usage, although it appears less frequently in common discourse. While generally suitable for neutral to professional contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "pass up the opportunity" in informal settings. Ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what chance is being declined and why. Its neutral register and directness make it suitable for news, media and professional communication. However, based on the context, more direct synonyms could be favored.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse the opportunity

Replaces "decline" with "refuse", a direct synonym, maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

turn down the chance

Employs the phrasal verb "turn down" as an alternative to "decline".

reject the offer

Substitutes "chance" with "offer", focusing on the act of turning something down.

pass up the opportunity

Uses "pass up" instead of "decline", indicating a missed opportunity.

forego the opportunity

Replaces "decline" with "forego", suggesting a deliberate choice to abstain.

forgo the possibility

Replaces chance with a similar term possibility.

miss out on the opportunity

Focuses on the consequence of not taking the chance.

waive the opportunity

Indicates a formal or official relinquishment of the chance.

eschew the opportunity

Uses "eschew", implying a deliberate avoidance of the chance.

relinquish the opportunity

Suggests a formal surrender of the chance.

FAQs

What does "decline the chance" mean?

To "decline the chance" means to refuse an opportunity or offer. It implies a conscious decision not to take advantage of something available.

What can I say instead of "decline the chance"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse the opportunity", "turn down the chance", or "pass up the opportunity" depending on the context.

Is it better to "decline the chance" or "refuse the opportunity"?

Both "decline the chance" and "refuse the opportunity" are correct, but "decline" may sound slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

How do you use "decline the chance" in a sentence?

You can use "decline the chance" in a sentence like this: "After careful consideration, he decided to decline the chance to lead the project".