decline to discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to discuss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone chooses not to engage in a conversation or provide information on a particular topic. Example: "The spokesperson declined to discuss the details of the investigation, citing confidentiality concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

So we decline to discuss those specific issues".

The New York Times - Sports

Companies typically decline to discuss what insurance they have.

The New York Times

"We decline to discuss the issue," he said.

The New York Times

Estonian officials flatly decline to discuss the case.

The Economist

Most judicial candidates decline to discuss many of their personal views.

The New York Times

Mr. Wickham and Mr. Joensuu both decline to discuss what that next phase may involve.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

He declined to discuss Arpaio.

The New Yorker

He declined to discuss specifics.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Nelson declined to discuss it.

The New York Times

I.R.S. officials declined to discuss the matter.

The New York Times

She declined to discuss possible candidates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to discuss" when you want to politely but firmly indicate that you will not be providing information or engaging in a conversation about a specific topic. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to discuss" repeatedly in a short span, as it can sound evasive or uncooperative. Instead, vary your language with phrases like "refuse to comment" or "prefer not to say" to maintain a more engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to discuss" functions as a declarative statement indicating a refusal to provide information or engage in conversation on a specific matter. It serves as a polite yet firm way to avoid answering questions, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to discuss" is a common and grammatically correct way to politely refuse to comment on a particular subject. As supported by various examples from Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse to prevent sounding evasive. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability and provides valuable context for its usage, highlighting its role as a neutral yet firm way to avoid unwanted inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to comment

Emphasizes a firm refusal to provide any commentary.

decline to elaborate

Specifically refuses to provide further details.

opt not to say

Highlights the choice to remain silent.

remain silent on

Focuses on the continued silence regarding a subject.

withhold comment

Suggests a deliberate holding back of information.

prefer not to say

Expresses a preference for silence on the matter.

offer no details

Indicates a lack of specific information being provided.

abstain from commenting

Implies a formal or principled decision not to comment.

not at liberty to say

Suggests a restriction prevents them from sharing.

take a pass on that

Informal way of declining to answer or discuss.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline to discuss" to politely refuse to comment on a specific topic, such as "The company "declined to discuss" the ongoing investigation".

What is a more formal alternative to "decline to discuss"?

A more formal alternative could be "refuse to comment" or "abstain from commenting". For example, "The ambassador "refused to comment" on the diplomatic negotiations".

Is it rude to use "decline to discuss"?

While it can seem evasive if used excessively, "decline to discuss" is generally considered a polite way to avoid answering a question. It's less direct than saying "no comment".

What's the difference between "decline to discuss" and "no comment"?

"Decline to discuss" is a more verbose and slightly softer way of saying "no comment." Both indicate a refusal to provide information, but "decline to discuss" sounds less abrupt.