declined the request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined the request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has refused or turned down a request made to them. Example: "After careful consideration, she declined the request for additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Chanos declined the request.

The New York Times

Mr. Karzai declined the request.

The New York Times

OCE officials declined the request.

The Washington Post

The mailroom politely declined the request.

The New York Times

"Last week the central bank committee declined the request.

The Guardian

He declined the request and asked for Stilwell's recall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No deal: District Judge William B. Shubb declined the request.

The Washington Post

Judge Clott declined the request, saying that "he has complied when given a second chance".

The New York Times

The Army declined the request, saying its safety precautions were sufficient.

The New York Times

However, her assistant bluntly declined the request and directed them to the new competition commissioner, Vestager.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Chubu Electric said it declined the request as it would violate its own compliance regulations.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declined the request" in formal or neutral contexts. For more informal situations, consider alternatives like "turned down the request".

Common error

Avoid using "declined the request" when a softer refusal is needed. For instance, instead of saying "He declined the request for help", consider "He was unable to assist with the request at that time" to soften the refusal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined the request" functions as a verb phrase indicating the refusal of a previously made appeal or application. Ludwig AI examples confirm its straightforward usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Huffington Post

3%

University of Chicago

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declined the request" is a common and grammatically correct way to express refusal, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used across various contexts, from news reports to encyclopedic entries, though it leans towards a neutral to formal register. For more informal situations, alternatives like "turned down the request" might be more suitable. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who declined the request and the reason behind it. While generally straightforward, avoid using it when a softer refusal is needed. The phrase is very common and well-understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing refusal in many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rejected the request

Replaces "declined" with "rejected", emphasizing a stronger refusal.

refused the request

Uses "refused" instead of "declined", suggesting a more direct and firm rejection.

turned down the request

Replaces "declined" with the phrasal verb "turned down", offering a more informal tone.

denied the request

Substitutes "declined" with "denied", indicating a formal refusal, often in legal or official contexts.

vetoed the request

Replaces "declined" with "vetoed", implying a rejection with authority, similar to a political veto.

disapproved the request

Suggests a formal rejection, implying that the request did not meet certain criteria or standards.

did not grant the request

A more verbose way of saying "declined", emphasizing the lack of approval.

did not accept the request

Similar to "did not grant", but focuses on the lack of acceptance.

opted against the request

Implies a conscious decision not to proceed with the request.

passed on the request

An idiomatic expression suggesting that the request was not pursued, often due to lack of interest or resources.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "declined the request"?

You can use alternatives like "rejected the request", "refused the request", or "turned down the request" depending on the context.

Is "declined the request" formal or informal?

"Declined the request" is generally considered neutral to formal. For a more informal option, you might choose "turned down the request".

How to use "declined the request" in a sentence?

You can use "declined the request" in a sentence like: "The committee "declined the request" for additional funding due to budget constraints".

What's the difference between "declined the request" and "denied the request"?

"Declined the request" generally implies a polite refusal, while "denied the request" often suggests a more formal or authoritative rejection, sometimes implying that the request was not valid or permissible.