Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
decline to consent
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "decline to consent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express a situation in which someone is refusing to give their permission or approval for something. For example, "Jane declined to consent to the request to have more work added to her job duties."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
Individuals can decline to consent to taking part in the study and their medical care will not be affected.
Science
In conventional controlled trials, subjects may decline to consent because of their a priori preferences for one of the treatments, or their outcomes may be worse because of poor adherence or a negative placebo-like effect.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
She declined to consent to such an arrangement.
News & Media
We approached 209 patients for potential enrollment, 61 declined to consent.
Science
These trials had a mean of 25% missing data, with one [79] unable to account for outcomes of almost 50% of randomised participants, who later declined to consent to study procedures (although this dropout was equal across both trial arms).
Science
Of these, 98 patients were recruited and 8 patients could not be studied either because they declined to consent to participate in the study (n = 6) or because they returned home to Lao PDR (across the Mekong River from Thailand) before the culture became positive and follow up was not possible (n = 2).
Science
The observed clinicians obtained patient consents prior to each encounter and no patients declined to consent.
Almost all (>90%) persons who refused participation did not give a reason for why they declined to consent.
People declining to consent were mostly older compared with the study participants (mean (SD) 64 (7) versus 58 (8) years, respectively).
If a school declines to consent the next school on the list will be invited, following the same procedure above.
Science
In this census survey, 27% of patients without an AVF were adjudged not to be suitable for this on technical grounds, or declined to consent to the procedure.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing about research studies or medical procedures, use "decline to consent" to clearly indicate that individuals have the right to refuse participation. For instance, ensure that the participant is informed of their right to "withdraw consent" at any time.
Common error
Avoid using "decline to consent" interchangeably with simply "disagreeing". "Decline to consent" implies a formal process where consent is explicitly requested, whereas "disagreeing" can refer to a broader range of situations.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "decline to consent" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It is used to describe the action of refusing to give permission or approval for something, especially in contexts where formal consent is required. Ludwig provides examples across various domains where this phrase is used to indicate a refusal of permission or participation.
Frequent in
Science
60%
News & Media
30%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "decline to consent" is a phrase used to formally express the refusal to give permission or approval, often in medical, research, and legal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While alternatives like "refuse consent" or "withhold consent" exist, "decline to consent" provides a clear and professional tone. This phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news sources, indicating its importance in formal documentation and reporting.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
refuse consent
Direct synonym focusing on the act of refusing.
withhold consent
Emphasizes the act of holding back permission.
deny permission
Focuses on the denial of permission.
reject approval
Highlights the rejection of a formal approval.
opt out
Implies choosing not to participate or agree.
not give permission
A more literal way of stating the lack of permission.
decline authorization
Similar to declining consent, but emphasizes official authorization.
refuse to allow
Focuses on not allowing something to happen.
object to
Expresses an objection or disagreement.
not agree
Simply indicates a lack of agreement.
FAQs
What does "decline to consent" mean?
"Decline to consent" means to refuse to give permission or approval for something. It's often used in medical or research contexts when individuals are asked to provide their "informed consent".
How is "decline to consent" used in a sentence?
You can use "decline to consent" in sentences like, "The patient "refused to consent" to the surgery after learning about the risks" or "Many participants "declined to participate", and therefore declined to consent to the study.".
What are some alternatives to "decline to consent"?
Alternatives include "refuse consent", "withhold consent", "not give permission", or "opt out", depending on the context.
Is it better to say "decline to consent" or "refuse to consent"?
Both "decline to consent" and "refuse to consent" are correct and have similar meanings. "Decline" may sound slightly more formal than "refuse", but they are largely interchangeable.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested