decline to

USAGE SUMMARY

"decline to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are politely declining an offer, request, or invitation. For example, "After careful consideration, I have decided to decline to attend the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But many patients decline to cooperate.

The New York Times - Health

"I respectfully decline to sign the pledge".

The New York Times

Economists had expected a decline to 57.0.

The New York Times

Last night it decline to comment.

Independent

We decline to comment".

The New York Times

The institute decline to comment.

The New York Times

We will decline to comment.

The Guardian

— China and Russia decline to take even a peek.

The New Yorker

There was no decline to hide.

The Guardian

I routinely decline to do so.

The New York Times - Tech

Economists had forecast a decline to 90.6.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to" when you want to politely refuse a request, invitation, or suggestion without being overly blunt. It conveys a sense of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to" in highly informal situations where a simple "no" is sufficient. Overusing it can make your communication sound overly formal or even passive-aggressive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to" functions as a verb phrase, typically followed by another verb in its base form. It expresses a polite or formal refusal to do something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline to" serves as a versatile tool for expressing refusal in a polite and formal manner. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "refuse to" or "reject" exist, "decline to" maintains a level of formality that can be beneficial in professional or sensitive situations. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal contexts to maintain a natural and respectful tone. Ludwig's analysis provides ample evidence of its correct and effective application across diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to

Replaces "decline" with a more direct synonym, implying a stronger unwillingness.

not accept

A straightforward way of saying that something is not being agreed to.

reject

Focuses on the act of refusing something presented or offered.

turn down

Indicates a refusal of something offered, often a job or invitation.

opt out of

Suggests a choice to not participate in something, often voluntary.

beg to differ

A polite way of expressing disagreement, often before stating a contrary opinion.

disapprove of

Expresses a negative opinion or lack of support for something.

abstain from

Implies a conscious decision to refrain from something, often a vote or action.

pass on

An informal way to decline an offer or opportunity.

resist the urge to

Implies holding back from doing something, often something tempting.

FAQs

How to use "decline to" in a sentence?

"Decline to" is used to politely refuse something. For example, "I must "decline to" comment on that matter at this time".

What can I say instead of "decline to"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse to", "reject", or "opt out of" depending on the context.

Is it rude to use "decline to"?

No, "decline to" is generally considered polite, especially when refusing a request or invitation. However, ensure your tone remains respectful to avoid any misunderstanding.

What's the difference between "decline to" and "refuse to"?

"Decline to" is generally more polite and formal than "refuse to", which can sound more forceful. The choice depends on the situation and your desired level of formality.