decline to consider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to consider" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a refusal to take something into account or to give it thought. Example: "The committee decided to decline to consider the proposal due to its lack of supporting evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We expect the same behaviour from complainants and reserve the right to decline to consider complaints that are abusive or gratuitously offensive.

The Guardian

He received a letter from the Gillette legal dept., which pointed out that they "decline to consider outside suggestions unless they are protected by issued patents, or have filed patent applications.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was that decision that the Supreme Court declined to consider.

The New York Times

The case went to the Supreme Court, which declined to consider it.

The New York Times

(In cases involving all of these examples, courts have declined to consider them harassment).

The New York Times - Magazine

Justice Alan D. Marrus declined to consider bail for Mr. Russo until the next scheduled court hearing, on Jan . 21

The New York Times

A screening committee declined to consider the popular favorite: "Eat Cheese or Die".

The New York Times

Mr. Zoellick has declined to consider major new negotiations on the subject.

The New York Times

The Obama administration has declined to consider the bluefin an endangered species.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Pardon Advisory Board declined to consider Ms. Bembenek's petition for a pardon.

The New York Times

Jim Desler, a Microsoft spokesman, said the company was "disappointed" that the court had declined to consider the appeal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to consider" when you want to express a formal or official refusal to take something into account, often because it is irrelevant, inappropriate, or outside the scope of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to consider" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler phrases like "refuse to think about" or "won't consider" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to consider" functions as a verb phrase indicating a formal refusal or unwillingness to take something into account. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is often used in legal or official contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline to consider" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a formal refusal to take something into account. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable. Its primary contexts include news and media, reflecting a formal register. While relatively rare in overall usage, as per Ludwig's analysis, understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts is crucial for effective communication. Related phrases offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis, providing writers with a range of options for expressing refusal or dismissal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to entertain

Emphasizes a firm refusal to even begin considering something.

reject out of hand

Implies immediate and complete rejection without any consideration.

dismiss from consideration

Highlights the act of removing something from a list of items to be considered.

refuse to acknowledge

Focuses on refusing to recognize or accept something as valid.

turn a deaf ear to

Suggests ignoring or paying no attention to something, often a plea or request.

not give credence to

Indicates a lack of belief or trust in something.

brush aside

Implies treating something as unimportant and quickly dismissing it.

disregard

A general term for ignoring or neglecting something.

set aside

Indicates postponing or temporarily ignoring something.

opt not to review

Highlights the conscious decision to abstain from reviewing something.

FAQs

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

Use "decline to consider" when formally refusing to evaluate something. For example, "The committee decided to "decline to consider" the proposal due to its lack of supporting evidence."

What are some alternatives to "decline to consider"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "refuse to entertain", "reject out of hand", or "dismiss from consideration".

Is it more appropriate to use "decline to consider" or "refuse to consider"?

"Decline to consider" is generally more formal and polite than "refuse to consider". Choose the phrase that best suits the context and your desired tone.

What does it mean when a court "declines to consider" a case?

When a court "declines to consider" a case, it means they have chosen not to hear the case, often because they believe it lacks merit or that the issue has already been decided.