decline to inform

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to inform" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone chooses not to provide specific information or details in response to a request or inquiry. Example: "When asked about the company's financial status, the spokesperson chose to decline to inform the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Geoffrey Vero, chairman of Michael Gove's Surrey Heath association, said the education secretary had told him he feared that teachers could be vulnerable to a legal challenge if they decline to inform students about legalisation of equal marriage if the bill becomes law.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lucy declines to inform us, doubting the reader's strength.

The Guardian - Books

But the whole thing sounds like hard work for a 15-year-old: among the things that Meadows declined to inform McClure about was the famous scene in which Paddy Considine opens his dressing gown to reveal his erect penis and suggests McLure "fucking tuck into that".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Geoffrey Vero, the chairman of Michael Gove's Surrey Heath association, said the education secretary had told him he feared teachers could be vulnerable to a legal challenge if they declined to inform students about legalisation of equal marriage if the bill became law.

The Guardian

Then, we did mention up front that our sources declined to inform us how they managed to obtain these highly confidential files.

Huffington Post

He then approached Gwen Thompson (1928 1986), matriarch of the New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches (NECTW), asking for initiation, although declined to inform her of his sexual orientation.

Wikipedia

Over several months last year, while Corinthian teetered on the brink of failure, the Education Department declined to inform current or potential future students that the company faced lawsuits or pending investigations from about half of the country's state attorneys general, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, Mayor Lee has declined this opportunity to inform voters so that the electorate can make an informed decision between the two pension reform measures.

Huffington Post

Before the challenge was formally declined, Orde wrote to the Board to inform them that he had withdrawn it.

Wikipedia

She read about victims of school bullying to inform her character and declined other work during the year to stay focused on the series, becoming emotionally attached to her character.

Wikipedia

Testing local habitat specialization and estimating survey effort is needed to inform management of pine barrens for this rapidly declining avian group.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to inform" when you want to convey a polite yet firm refusal to provide specific details. Consider the context to determine if a more direct synonym like "refuse to disclose" is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to inform" simply as a longer version of 'didn't tell'. The phrase implies a deliberate choice not to share information, often due to policy, ethics, or strategic reasons. If information was simply not conveyed, use a more neutral expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to inform" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate refusal to share information. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability, reflecting a conscious choice not to disclose details, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to inform" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for politely refusing to disclose information. As Ludwig AI notes, it is best used when conveying a deliberate decision to withhold details, often for strategic or ethical reasons. While alternatives like "refuse to disclose" or "opt not to reveal" exist, "decline to inform" carries a slightly more formal tone. Primarily found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it's a versatile phrase for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to disclose

This alternative directly states the refusal to reveal information.

opt not to reveal

This suggests a choice not to make something known.

decline to disclose

Similar to "decline to inform", this uses 'disclose' instead of 'inform'.

refrain from sharing

This indicates holding back information from others.

withhold information

This suggests intentionally keeping information secret.

remain silent about

This focuses on the act of staying quiet on a particular topic.

keep confidential

This emphasizes maintaining the secrecy of the information.

not willing to divulge

This implies a reluctance to share sensitive information.

avoid disclosing

This suggests actively preventing the release of information.

stonewall

This is an informal term for refusing to cooperate or provide information.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline to inform" when someone chooses not to provide information. For example, "The spokesperson chose to decline to inform the public about the company's financial status."

What are some alternatives to "decline to inform"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse to disclose", "opt not to reveal", or "withhold information" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "decline to inform" formal or informal?

"Decline to inform" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for professional and news contexts.

What does it mean to "decline to inform" someone?

To "decline to inform" someone means to intentionally choose not to provide them with specific information that they might be requesting or expecting.