decline the proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline the proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are rejecting or not accepting a proposal that has been presented to you. Example: "After careful consideration, we have decided to decline the proposal submitted by the contractor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said both teams declined the proposal.

The New York Times - Sports

But Leigh, who has died aged 87, declined the proposal.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Estonia declined the proposal and built a digital system of its own.

The Economist

But Mr. Loeb, who is seeking a board seat for himself, declined the proposal.

The New York Times

After Michael had suppressed the insurrection, however, Krum offered to conclude peace, but the terms offered seemed unacceptable to Theodore Studites, and on his advice Michael declined the proposal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alas, Fischer declined the proposal … 3243 Probably. 1 Bh6! threatens 2 Bg7, 3 Bxf6, 4 Rg7+ and 5 Rxg6 mate and if Re8 2 Bg7 Ne6 3 Bxf6 planning Rdd7, Rxh7 and Rh8 mate.

The Guardian - Sport

Even though McDonald's declined, the proposal reinforced how a brand can rise above short-sighted self-promotion and align with societal concerns to resonate with consumers and ultimately engender goodwill for the brand.

The Guardian

A council report has recommended the cabinet declines the proposal and works with Lancashire County Council to build a new bus station at the site.

BBC

A Westboro representative responded two days later with a cheery "Thank you for writing!" before declining the proposal.

Vice

18% declined the proposal of a sick note.

BMC Family Practice

In the decision making process, patients may have either accepted or declined the proposal.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline the proposal", ensure that the context clearly indicates what proposal is being referred to. If not immediately obvious, specify the proposal explicitly to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "decline the proposal" in extremely informal contexts. While generally acceptable, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "I'll pass" or "no thanks" for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline the proposal" functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of rejecting or refusing a suggestion, offer, or plan. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline the proposal" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the rejection of an offer or suggestion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently used in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While generally acceptable, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Related phrases include "reject the offer" and "turn down the suggestion", which convey similar meanings but with slight nuances in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reject the offer

Focuses on the act of rejecting an offer, which is a specific type of proposal.

turn down the suggestion

Replaces "proposal" with "suggestion", implying a less formal offer.

refuse the request

Uses "refuse" to emphasize the denial and "request" to suggest a more specific ask.

not accept the terms

Highlights the disagreement with the conditions or stipulations of a proposal.

pass on the opportunity

Indicates foregoing a chance or option presented in the proposal.

decline to proceed

Emphasizes the decision not to move forward with a plan or course of action.

veto the proposition

Implies a formal rejection, often in a decision-making context.

decline to endorse

Suggests a lack of support or approval for the proposal.

opt out of the arrangement

Indicates choosing not to participate in a planned agreement.

walk away from the deal

Emphasizes abandoning a potential agreement or negotiation.

FAQs

How to use "decline the proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "decline the proposal" to express that you are rejecting or not accepting a proposition. For example, "After careful consideration, we have decided to "decline the proposal" submitted by the contractor."

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

You can use alternatives like "reject the offer", "turn down the suggestion", or "refuse the request" depending on the context.

Is "decline the proposal" formal or informal?

"Decline the proposal" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very informal situations, consider using simpler phrases such as "I'll pass" or "no thanks".

What's the difference between "decline the proposal" and "reject the proposal"?

While similar, "reject the proposal" can sound stronger and more decisive. "Decline the proposal" can sometimes imply a more polite or considered refusal.