decline to share

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to share" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone chooses not to provide information or disclose something. Example: "When asked about his personal life, he decided to decline to share any details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Others revel in the possession of information that they decline to share, and the private sense of superiority that this brings".

The Guardian - Books

I typically decline to share the passwords but for quite some time I have wanted to provide a clean set of data to share with the world," he wrote in a blog post this week.

The Guardian - Tech

That includes matches that users decline to share.

TechCrunch

Most private companies decline to share data of that sort, so we won't take it personally.

TechCrunch

Supporters of independence say it would not be in the interest of friendly nations to decline to share information with Scotland.

BBC

The problem with our initial approach of making it an opt-out system instead of opt-in was that if someone forgot to decline to share something, Beacon still went ahead and shared it with their friends.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"We got into the profit-sharing discussion afterward, and Marcin declined to share profit.

The New Yorker

He declined to share specific financial results.

The New York Times

He declined to share more details.

The Guardian

Executives declined to share the cost of the campaign.

The New York Times

Mr. Putin declined to share the other two names.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when deciding whether to "decline to share". In some situations, transparency is expected and appreciated, while in others, privacy is paramount.

Common error

Be clear about what you are declining to share. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings or mistrust. Instead of saying "They declined to share", specify "They declined to share the specific financial results."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to share" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It expresses the action of refusing to disclose or reveal information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to share" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a refusal to disclose information. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that its usage is most common in news and media, often in business contexts. It is considered polite, neutral and professional and generally more courteous than using the expression "refuse to share". When deploying this phrase, clarity is key, specifying what you're not disclosing. Related phrases include "refuse to disclose" and "withhold information".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to disclose

Emphasizes a stronger unwillingness to reveal information.

withhold information

Focuses on the act of keeping information secret or not providing it.

choose not to reveal

Highlights the deliberate decision to keep something undisclosed.

keep confidential

Stresses the act of maintaining secrecy and privacy.

not willing to divulge

Indicates a reluctance to share details.

remain silent about

Focuses on staying quiet or not commenting on a specific topic.

clam up

An informal expression indicating a sudden refusal to speak or share information.

stonewall

Suggests obstructing inquiries by refusing to cooperate or provide information.

hold back

Implies a deliberate act of restraining from sharing information.

keep mum

An informal way of saying to remain silent or secretive.

FAQs

What does "decline to share" mean?

The phrase "decline to share" means to refuse to provide information or details about something. It indicates a choice not to disclose or reveal something that is asked for or expected.

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

You can use alternatives like "refuse to disclose", "withhold information", or "choose not to reveal" depending on the context.

Is it more polite to "decline to share" or "refuse to share"?

"Decline to share" is generally considered more polite than "refuse to share", as "decline" implies a courteous refusal, while "refuse" can sound more assertive or confrontational.

When is it appropriate to "decline to share" information?

It's appropriate to "decline to share" information when it is confidential, private, or when sharing it could have negative consequences. For instance, companies might "decline to share" financial details or individuals might decline to share personal information.