decline to testify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline to testify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts when someone chooses not to provide testimony or evidence in a court or legal proceeding. Example: "The witness decided to decline to testify, citing personal reasons for their decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The defendants are likely, he said, to invoke their constitutional right to decline to testify.

The New York Times

That day, the firm told investors it was no longer fully cooperating, a sign that Mr. Cohen will decline to testify.

The New York Times

Anderson is expected to be in court on March 1 to tell the judge that he will, yet again, decline to testify.

The New York Times - Sports

Speculation has arisen in the capital that Dr. Blasey, who had already been reluctant to come forward, may ultimately decline to testify, at least publicly.

The New York Times

He said he believed that Bosch, who has a troubled business history and was fined by Florida officials this year for impersonating a medical doctor, might decline to testify for baseball because of other pending legal issues.

The New York Times - Sports

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service official who tried to temper efforts to target conservative groups and then made the issue public will plead her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to testify at a House hearing on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Miss Africa declined to testify.

The New York Times

Others have agonized and declined to testify.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Tung himself declined to testify.

The New York Times

The E.P.A. declined to testify at the committee hearing.

The New York Times

She and Montgomery had declined to testify before the panel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline to testify" when you want to clearly and formally state that someone is choosing not to give evidence or a statement, especially in legal or investigative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "decline to testify" interchangeably with simply "decline to comment" in situations where a formal testimony is expected. The former implies a legal or investigative context, while the latter is a general refusal to speak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline to testify" functions as a verb phrase indicating a refusal to provide evidence or testimony in a formal or legal context. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is commonly used in news and media when reporting on legal proceedings or investigations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline to testify" is a verb phrase that clearly communicates a refusal to provide testimony, primarily in legal and investigative contexts. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its common usage in news and media. While alternatives like "refuse to give evidence" or "opt not to provide testimony" exist, understanding the specific implications in legal settings is crucial. With a neutral register and common frequency, "decline to testify" is a straightforward and widely understood expression. Its usage is primarily concentrated in news and media, reflecting its relevance to reporting on legal proceedings and investigations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to answer questions

Similar meaning, with an emphasis on refusing to answer any questions.

refuse to give evidence

Emphasizes the refusal to provide evidence specifically.

refrain from offering testimony

Highlights the act of holding back from giving testimony.

opt not to provide testimony

Highlights the choice of not offering testimony.

invoke the right to silence

Specifically refers to the legal right to not incriminate oneself.

remain silent

Focuses on maintaining silence as a form of refusal.

choose not to answer

Indicates a deliberate decision to not respond.

take the Fifth

A colloquialism referring to invoking the Fifth Amendment.

beg off from testifying

Informal way of expressing the act of avoiding testifying.

not cooperate with the inquiry

Broader, suggesting a general lack of cooperation with an investigation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "decline to testify"?

To "decline to testify" means to refuse to give evidence or a statement under oath, typically in a legal setting such as a trial or hearing.

What are some alternatives to "decline to testify"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse to give evidence", "opt not to provide testimony", or "remain silent" depending on the context.

Is "decline to testify" a formal way of saying someone won't speak?

Yes, "decline to testify" is a formal way of indicating that someone is choosing not to provide testimony, particularly in legal or investigative contexts. A less formal way of saying someone won't speak would be "refuse to comment".

What legal implications are associated with "decline to testify"?

The legal implications of "decline to testify" can vary. It may involve invoking the right to silence, such as the Fifth Amendment in the United States, which protects individuals from self-incrimination. The decision can sometimes lead to negative inferences or consequences in civil cases.