decline to comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to comment" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in situations where a person is choosing not to give a response or an opinion on a certain topic. Example: When asked about the controversial decision made by the company, the CEO declined to comment, stating that it was a sensitive matter that they did not wish to discuss publicly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We decline to comment".

The New York Times

Last night it decline to comment.

Independent

The institute decline to comment.

The New York Times

We will decline to comment.

The Guardian

Both men decline to comment on the allegation.

The Guardian

If unsure, always decline to comment and terminate the phone call".

Independent

("I decline to comment on the Mayor's private schedule, personal life, or personal property," Loeser said).

The New Yorker

"Beyond that, we decline to comment on a pending legal matter".

The New York Times

You either have to tell them the truth or awkwardly decline to comment.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other station owners are markedly less confident, although most decline to comment on the record.

The New York Times

A spokesman for the US state department said: "We decline to comment on any cable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to comment" when you wish to politely and professionally refuse to answer a question or provide information. It's a standard phrase, particularly in journalism and formal communication.

Common error

While "decline to comment" is a useful phrase, overuse can make you appear evasive. If possible, offer a brief explanation for your silence to maintain transparency and goodwill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to comment" functions as a declarative statement indicating a refusal to provide information or an opinion. It's a polite way of avoiding answering a question. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to comment" is a standard and professionally acceptable way to refuse to answer a question or provide an opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in journalistic and formal business contexts. While highly functional in numerous situations, overusing the phrase may give off an impression of evasiveness. When "declining to comment", alternatives like "no comment" or "prefer not to say" can be used to vary your response. The decision to use this phrase ultimately hinges on the situation's sensitivity and the need to maintain confidentiality or strategic advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no comment

A shorter and more direct way to refuse to provide information.

refuse to answer

Emphasizes the refusal to respond to a specific question.

withhold comment

Highlights the act of intentionally keeping information private.

choose not to respond

A more formal and polite way of saying "decline to comment".

remain silent

Focuses on the act of not speaking about the matter.

not willing to discuss

Indicates a lack of willingness to engage in a conversation about the topic.

prefer not to say

Shows a preference to avoid answering the question.

unable to provide information

Suggests that the person is not authorized or capable of giving information.

cannot disclose that information

Highlights the confidentiality or sensitivity of the information.

mum's the word

An informal expression indicating a commitment to secrecy.

FAQs

What does "decline to comment" mean?

To "decline to comment" means to politely refuse to give a statement or opinion on a particular topic. It's commonly used when someone doesn't want to answer a question or share information.

When is it appropriate to "decline to comment"?

It's appropriate to "decline to comment" when you don't have the authority to speak on a matter, when the issue is confidential, or when you believe commenting would be detrimental.

What are some alternatives to "decline to comment"?

You can use alternatives like "no comment", "refuse to answer", or "prefer not to say" depending on the context.

Is it better to "decline to comment" or to lie?

It is generally better to "decline to comment" than to provide false information. Lying can damage your credibility and have legal consequences.