decline to approve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to approve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a refusal or rejection of a proposal, request, or application. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee decided to decline to approve the funding request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I decline to approve the settlement in its current form," he said.

The New York Times

The Hollis motion said the upper house would decline to approve the tax credit cuts until the government delivered a "scheme for full transitional protection for a minimum of three years for all low-income families and individuals currently receiving tax credits before April 6 2016".

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Weinstein said that in a building where there is a flip tax based on the gross sale price — that is, a percentage of the sale price that must be paid to the co-op — and the board believes that the sale price is being deliberately understated to reduce the flip tax, it can decline to approve the sale.

The New York Times

However, he alienated Warren when, hoping for a favor in light of his 1942 support, he asked the newly inaugurated governor to decline to approve the extradition of one of his clients to another state.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But it's not just declining to approve money.

The New Yorker

Two months later, the F.D.A. declined to approve Provenge, saying that more data was needed.

The New York Times

It has declined to approve any large-scale expansion of the Social Security Act.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Provenge has stirred passions since the F.D.A. initially declined to approve it in 2007.

The New York Times - Health

The agency does not comment publicly on why it declines to approve a drug.

The New York Times

Last week, the F.D.A. declined to approve another new drug, lorcaserin, because it caused tumors in rats.

The New York Times - Health

The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve a gout drug developed by Savient Pharmaceuticals, the company said on Sunday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to approve" in formal contexts where a clear and direct refusal is necessary. It is suitable for official communications, legal documents, and business settings.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to approve" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "reject" or "turn down" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to approve" functions as a verb phrase indicating a refusal to give official permission or acceptance. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in formal contexts such as legal settlements and government decisions. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline to approve" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to formally reject a proposal or request. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly in news and media, and Wikipedia. While it is suitable for formal and professional contexts, it should be avoided in casual conversation. Related phrases include "refuse to sanction" and "reject the proposal". Remember to use it judiciously to maintain an appropriate tone and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to endorse

Similar to the original but uses 'endorse' to specify the type of approval refused.

reject the proposal

Directly expresses the act of turning down a suggestion or plan.

turn down the request

Implies a refusal to grant what was asked for.

refuse to sanction

Indicates a formal refusal to give permission or approval.

veto the decision

Suggests the use of formal power to reject a decision.

disapprove of the measure

Expresses disagreement and lack of support for a specific action.

withhold endorsement

Indicates a decision not to support or publicly approve something.

refuse to ratify

Specifically used when refusing to formally validate an agreement or treaty.

deny authorization

Formally refuses to grant official permission.

not give consent

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or permission.

FAQs

How can I use "decline to approve" in a sentence?

You can use "decline to approve" when a formal rejection of a proposal or request is needed. For example, "The committee decided to decline to approve the new budget."

What are some alternatives to "decline to approve"?

Alternatives include "refuse to sanction", "reject the proposal", or "turn down the request", depending on the context.

Is "declined to approve" grammatically correct?

Yes, "declined to approve" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The FDA declined to approve the new drug."

What is the difference between "decline to approve" and "refuse to endorse"?

"Decline to approve" indicates a formal rejection, while "refuse to endorse" suggests a lack of support or recommendation. The former is often used in decision-making contexts, and the latter in situations involving public support.