decline to join

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to join" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a refusal or unwillingness to participate in a group, event, or activity. Example: "After careful consideration, I have decided to decline to join the committee this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We sniffed at the euro and decline to join.

The Guardian

Firms that decline to join will be forced to drop the Colliers moniker.

The New York Times

I decline to join in what I hope will prove to be a temporary retreat.

Cornell University

Blue jays and a small gray bird, white-chested, decline to join the seasonal escape and flit on bushes below.

The New Yorker

He is due to say: "Forgive me if I decline to join those of you gloating at the expense of the Liberal Democrats.

Independent

The Spectator's Fraser Nelson and Ian Hislop of Private Eye have become the first magazine editors to decline to join the proposed press regulator.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The Mortons declined to join.

The Economist

He declined to join art movements.

The New York Times - Arts

Former congressman J.C. Watts (Okla). declined to join.

The Washington Post

Among those declining to join the initiative was Campbell.

The New York Times - Health

I poured some vodka; Brando declined to join me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline to join", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being refused or avoided. This helps prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to join" in very informal settings where more casual phrases like "pass on" or "sit this one out" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to join" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express a deliberate decision not to participate in an activity, group, or offer. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decline to join" is a versatile phrase used to express a deliberate decision not to participate in a given activity or group. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable. It is most frequently found in news and media, academia, and scientific contexts, and carries a neutral to professional tone. When looking for alternatives, consider options like "refuse to participate" or "opt out of" to vary your language while maintaining clarity. Remember to consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing the most appropriate expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to participate

Emphasizes a stronger stance of refusal.

opt out of

Suggests a formal or official withdrawal.

choose not to join

Highlights the element of choice in the decision.

abstain from participating

Implies a more formal or official setting.

beg to differ in joining

Adds a polite or deferential tone to the refusal.

not take part in

A more general way of expressing non-participation.

pass on the opportunity to join

Emphasizes the missed opportunity.

reject the invitation to join

Focuses on the rejection of a specific invitation.

demur from joining

Implies hesitation or mild objection.

withdraw from consideration

Suggests a prior involvement or interest that has now ceased.

FAQs

How to use "decline to join" in a sentence?

You can use "decline to join" to indicate a refusal to participate in something, such as "The Spectator's Fraser Nelson and Ian Hislop of Private Eye have become the first magazine editors to decline to join the proposed press regulator."

What can I say instead of "decline to join"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse to participate", "opt out of", or "choose not to join" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "decline to join" or "refuse to join"?

While both are acceptable, "decline to join" often carries a slightly more polite or formal tone compared to "refuse to join", which can sound more assertive.

When is it appropriate to use "decline to join" in formal writing?

It's suitable in formal writing when you want to convey a decision not to participate without sounding overly negative. For instance, "The United States has declined to join the vaccine plan."