declined opportunities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined opportunities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to chances or offers that someone has chosen not to accept or pursue. Example: "After careful consideration, she realized that she had declined several opportunities that could have advanced her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Many times he declined opportunities to pump stocks even higher than they were.

The New York Times - Magazine

Parliament has declined opportunities to give binding instructions to the government that there cannot be a no-deal outcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

I declined opportunities to join two fraternities and soon dropped off the lacrosse team due to poor grades in the engineering school my hunch was right on that!

Cornell University

For the past five years, it didn't seem that Los Angeles was irresistible anymore as star after star declined opportunities to join the Lakers.

The Washington Post

Since what I loved most was researching and writing articles that could help people better understand science and medicine, I stayed focused on my goals and declined opportunities to move up in the organization by becoming an editor.

The New York Times

During intermittent periods of freedom, she declined opportunities to go abroad for fear she would not be allowed to re-enter Myanmar and so did not visit her British husband, Michael Aris, before he died in 1999.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Nor was he alone in declining opportunities to speak to constituents.

The New Yorker

Just as resolutely as he avoids children, Jay declines opportunities to perform for other magicians.

The New Yorker

Knowing that, many potentially valuable recruits would be forced to decline opportunities for public service.

The New York Times

In addition to making specific allegations against Hearst, her lawsuit faults unpaid internships in general for a whole host of evils, including declining opportunities for paid employment.

The New York Times

At Monday's debate in Tampa, Fla., it was Mr. Gingrich who pulled his punches, adopting a subdued approach and declining opportunities to attack the other candidates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declined opportunities" to clearly and directly state that someone has chosen not to pursue certain chances or offers. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "declined opportunities" when the situation involves a forced loss of chances due to external circumstances. This phrase implies a voluntary decision, so ensure the context reflects that.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined opportunities" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the action of rejecting potential chances or offers. It explicitly states a choice or decision made to not pursue available options, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined opportunities" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase that describes the action of intentionally rejecting chances or offers. It is suitable for neutral to professional contexts, frequently appearing in news and media sources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. When writing, ensure the context accurately reflects a voluntary decision. Related phrases such as "missed chances" or "rejected offers" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts. This phrase effectively communicates a specific type of decision-making and its consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed chances

Focuses on the lost possibility rather than the act of declining.

rejected offers

Emphasizes the act of turning down specific proposals.

passed up opportunities

Highlights the act of letting chances go by.

foregone possibilities

Implies a conscious decision to give up potential benefits.

refused prospects

Suggests a firm rejection of potential future gains.

lost out on chances

Focuses on the negative outcome of not taking advantage of openings.

bypassed openings

Indicates a deliberate avoidance of available options.

shunned avenues

Suggests an active aversion to certain paths or options.

turned down invitations

Specifically refers to rejecting formal requests or offers.

sacrificed prospects

Emphasizes the element of giving up something valuable for another purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "declined opportunities" in a sentence?

You can use "declined opportunities" to indicate that someone has rejected chances or offers. For example, "He "declined opportunities" for promotion in order to maintain a better work-life balance."

What are some alternatives to "declined opportunities"?

Alternatives include "missed chances", "rejected offers", or "passed up opportunities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "declined opportunities" and "lost opportunities"?

"Declined opportunities" implies a deliberate choice not to pursue something, while "lost opportunities" suggests that the chances were missed due to circumstances or without a conscious decision.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "declined opportunities"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the active decision of rejecting or turning down offers or chances, particularly in professional or formal contexts.