decline to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a refusal to follow a request or directive. Example: "After careful consideration, we have decided to decline to comply with the new regulations imposed by the governing body."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Presidents in rare instances can determine that a law is unconstitutional and decline to comply with it.

The New York Times

Judge Fry wrote that to rule against a home based on a flawed inspection report "would send the message that it is acceptable for the department to decline to comply with the regulations that apply to itself, but it is not acceptable for a facility to fail to comply in full with those portions of the regulations that apply to it".

The New York Times

Chief Justice Roberts, joined by Justice Breyer and Justice Kagan, concluded in Part IV that the Medicaid expansion violates the Constitution by threatening States with the loss of their existing Medicaid funding if they decline to comply with the expansion.

Huffington Post

The legislation would allows governors to decline to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's standards for power plant emissions if they found doing so would adversely affect electricity rates or reliability.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Onion gleefully declined to comply.

The New Yorker

Microsoft declined to comply, voluntarily entering into contempt.

The Guardian - Tech

If the lender declines to comply with that demand, he said, the co-op might want to contact the State Banking Department.

The New York Times

Twitter was not mentioned in the Prism programme because it declined to comply with the NSA's dropbox proposal.

The Guardian

According to his complaint, Mr. Cheevers declined to comply and complained to his boss, who did not respond, and to the bank's compliance department.

The New York Times

But the library foundation declined to comply with requests for a number of other documents, including a a list of individuals who donated or pledged more than $5,000.

The New York Times

G.M. and its media agency, Carat, part of the Aegis Group, have asked for significant decreases in cpm rates, perhaps as much as 20 percent, during their upfront negotiations, and the networks have so far declined to comply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline to comply", clearly state the reason for non-compliance to maintain transparency and avoid misinterpretations. For example, "We decline to comply due to concerns about data privacy."

Common error

Avoid simply stating "decline to comply" without providing a reason. This can come across as dismissive or insubordinate. Always explain the basis for your decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to comply" functions as a declarative verb phrase, expressing a decision not to follow a directive. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and can be used when indicating a refusal to follow a request or directive.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to comply" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to express a refusal to follow a directive, request, or order. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, primarily in news and media, business settings, and scientific discussions. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear reasons for non-compliance to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "refuse to obey", "reject compliance", or "fail to adhere" can be considered depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to obey

This alternative uses stronger language, emphasizing a deliberate act of disobedience.

reject compliance

This phrase highlights the act of rejecting the concept of compliance itself.

opt out of compliance

Implies a choice or option to not participate in adhering to certain rules or regulations.

fail to adhere

Focuses on the outcome of not following rules, rather than the initial decision.

disregard the directive

This implies a conscious decision to ignore a specific instruction.

resist adherence

Suggests active opposition to the act of following the rules.

not consent to follow

Highlights a lack of agreement or permission to abide by the rules.

beg to differ in obeying

Expresses disagreement and unwillingness to follow a command politely.

show dissent by non-compliance

This showcases disagreement with decision makers.

take exception to complying

Implies a moral opposition to accept.

FAQs

What does "decline to comply" mean?

The phrase "decline to comply" means to refuse to follow a rule, request, or order. It indicates a decision not to adhere to what is expected or required.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "decline to comply"?

It's appropriate to use "decline to comply" when you have a valid reason for not following a rule or request and you want to express it formally. Be sure to provide your reasoning to maintain transparency.

What are some alternatives to "decline to comply"?

Alternatives include "refuse to obey", "reject compliance", or "fail to adhere", depending on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "decline to comply" a formal or informal phrase?

"Decline to comply" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, you might opt for simpler language, such as "refuse to follow" or "won't do it".