decline to submit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to submit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a refusal to provide or present something, often in formal or legal contexts. Example: "After careful consideration, I have decided to decline to submit my application for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dutta also claims that you can simply exercise a number of rights, and decline to submit to an illegal stop or search or question a cop's legal basis to search you -- as if those behaviors will automatically ward off an officer.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The US, Zimbabwe and Sudan declined to submit their candidacy.

The Guardian

Their faith in the process diminished and they declined to submit future applications.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Stephen Brunt of The Toronto Globe and Mail, who voted for McGwire last year, declined to submit a ballot this year.

The New York Times - Sports

Last month, the Russian natural gas giant Gazprom declined to submit an expected bid for the Greek public gas corporation, Depa.

The New York Times

Its lawyers had prepared a report outlining vestiges of segregation in the city's schools, but the board declined to submit that report to the court.

The New York Times

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is not going to protect the building, having declined to submit it for consideration in 1996, two years after it became eligible for landmark status.

The New York Times

Variety reports that the British director originally declined to submit his film for this year's event, only to have a change of heart at the 11th hour.

The Guardian - Film

When she created an H & M collection, in 2008, she declined to submit to the kind of marketing the brand had deployed for Lagerfeld.

The New Yorker

Last month, Brookfield Properties, one of the five bidders, declined to submit a revised offer and essentially dropped out of the bidding.

The New York Times

He has thus far declined to submit to an examination known as lustration, whereby candidates for high office are screened for past ties to the communist regime.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to submit" in formal contexts when you want to express a polite but firm refusal to provide something, like a document or application. Ensure the reason for declining is clear if possible to maintain transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to submit" in very informal settings. It can sound overly stiff or bureaucratic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "won't send" or "not giving" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to submit" functions as a verb phrase indicating a refusal to provide or present something. It is often used in formal contexts to politely express a non-compliance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline to submit" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a polite refusal to provide or present something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears most often in news, academic, and wiki contexts. When writing, remember that "decline to submit" is generally considered formal, so it's best reserved for professional or official communications. Consider more informal alternatives like "refuse", "opt not to", or "won't send" in casual settings. Always consider the register of your audience. Avoid using it if overly formal or if other phrases can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to submit

Direct synonym, replacing "decline" with "refuse" for a slightly stronger emphasis on unwillingness.

opt not to submit

Indicates a choice not to submit, focusing on the decision-making aspect.

choose not to present

Replaces "submit" with "present", implying a choice not to offer something.

abstain from submitting

A more formal alternative, suggesting a deliberate withholding of something.

pass on submitting

An informal alternative, meaning to forgo the act of submitting.

reject the submission

Focuses on rejecting the action of submitting, rather than the initial decision.

withhold submission

Emphasizes the act of holding back something from being submitted.

forgo submitting

Similar to 'pass on', indicating a voluntary decision to not submit.

not consent to submit

Highlights a lack of agreement or permission to submit something.

disapprove submission

Focuses on disagreeing with the idea of submitting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline to submit" to politely refuse to provide something. For example, "I must "decline to submit" this document due to privacy concerns".

What are some alternatives to "decline to submit"?

Alternatives include "refuse to submit", "opt not to submit", or "choose not to present", depending on the context.

Is "decline to submit" formal or informal?

"Decline to submit" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "won't send" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "decline to submit" and "refuse to submit"?

While similar, "decline to submit" is often perceived as more polite, whereas "refuse to submit" carries a slightly stronger connotation of unwillingness or resistance.