decline to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are declining to answer a question or provide information. For example: When asked about her salary, Claire chose to decline to respond.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

You may simply decline to respond.

The New York Times - Magazine

Will she just, when asked about it, decline to respond?

The New Yorker

The massacres will go on, and the United States will decline to respond.

The Washington Post

Further, official statistics undercount immigrants who decline to respond because of language barriers, wariness of the government or concern about the legality of their immigration, jobs or housing.

The New York Times

That is race-obsessed craziness". "Black people have been in this country overwhelming since 1948 and the peasants in Robin Hood's time were what your previous director general Greg Dyke would have referred to as hideously white". Humphrys decline to respond.

The Guardian

Those terms note the White House may decline to respond if a petition addresses "certain procurement, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or similar matters properly within the jurisdiction of federal departments or agencies, federal courts, or state and local government". Considering some of those exiled petitions, leaving some of them unanswered might be understandable.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

3 respondents (1.5%) were uncertain, while 5 (2.4%) declined to respond.

BMC Infectious Diseases

She declined to respond.

Independent

Newmark declined to respond.

The Guardian - Tech

Nine declined to respond.

The Guardian

NBC officials declined to respond to questions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to respond" when you want to formally indicate a refusal to answer a question or provide information. It's suitable for professional or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to respond" too frequently in informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or evasive. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I'd rather not say" or "No comment" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to respond" functions as a declarative statement indicating a refusal to provide an answer or comment on a particular matter. This is validated by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline to respond" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a refusal to answer a question or provide information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various formal contexts, particularly in news, media, and professional settings. While "decline to respond" conveys a formal tone, alternatives such as "refuse to answer" or "no comment" might be more appropriate in less formal situations. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure that the level of formality aligns with the intended audience and setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Refuse to answer

Indicates a direct refusal to provide an answer, similar to declining to respond.

Choose not to comment

Suggests a deliberate decision to avoid making a statement, implying a more thoughtful approach.

Remain silent

Emphasizes the absence of a response, focusing on the act of staying quiet.

Opt not to reply

Highlights the choice to not engage in a conversation or provide feedback.

Withhold comment

Implies a deliberate holding back of information or opinion.

Refrain from commenting

Suggests a conscious effort to avoid making a statement.

Not offer a response

A more formal way of saying someone did not provide an answer.

Avoid answering

Highlights the act of steering clear of answering the question.

Keep mum

An informal way of saying someone is keeping a secret or not talking.

Pass on that

A colloquial expression for declining to answer a specific question.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline to respond" when someone asks you a question and you don't want to answer it. For instance, "When asked about the allegations, the CEO chose to "decline to respond"."

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

Alternatives to "decline to respond" include "refuse to answer", "choose not to comment", or "remain silent", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "decline to respond"?

It's appropriate to use "decline to respond" in formal settings such as press conferences, legal proceedings, or official statements, where a direct refusal to answer is necessary.

Is "decline to respond" more formal than "no comment"?

Yes, "decline to respond" is generally more formal than "no comment". "No comment" is suitable for less formal situations, while "decline to respond" is better for official or professional contexts.