declined to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something or someone refuses an offer, request or invitation. For example: The politician declined to answer questions about the scandal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Band declined to comment.

The New Yorker

Trump declined to apologize.

The New Yorker

Roach declined to answer.

The New York Times - Sports

CBRE declined to comment.

The New York Times

Boeing declined to comment.

The New York Times

He declined to say.

The New York Times

Blevins declined to elaborate.

The New York Times - Sports

Ascap declined to comment.

The New York Times

They declined to speak.

The New York Times

(Sulzberger declined to comment).

The New Yorker

(Negroponte declined to comment).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing an alternative. "Refused to" is more direct, while "opted not to" implies a deliberate choice.

Common error

Avoid using "declined to" in very informal situations where simpler phrases like "didn't want to" or "said no" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a refusal or unwillingness to perform an action, provide information, or accept something. Ludwig shows it is most often used to report someone's choice not to provide information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a refusal or unwillingness to do something. It is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. As per Ludwig's AI, it is best used in formal situations, and overusing it in informal settings should be avoided. Alternative phrases like "refused to" or "opted not to" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and directness. Ludwig's examples showcase its widespread application across various reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refused to

Indicates a direct and explicit refusal.

opted not to

Suggests a deliberate choice not to do something.

chose not to

Similar to 'opted not to', but can imply a broader range of choices.

rejected the opportunity to

Highlights that an opportunity was available but not taken.

was unwilling to

Emphasizes a lack of willingness or reluctance.

did not want to

Expresses a lack of desire or interest.

passed on the chance to

Suggests a missed or declined opportunity.

demurred from

A more formal and polite way of saying declined; it might be used to delay or avoid an issue, discussion, question, etc.

remained silent on

Indicates a refusal to speak or provide information on a topic.

dodged the question

Suggests avoiding a direct answer, often implying evasiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "declined to" to indicate that someone refused an offer, request, or opportunity. For example, "The company "declined to comment" on the allegations."

What is a more formal alternative to "declined to"?

A more formal alternative could be "demurred from", although this implies a polite refusal to pursue or comment on something.

Is there a difference between "declined to" and "refused to"?

"Refused to" is a more direct and assertive way of saying someone would not do something, while "declined to" is generally more polite and formal.

When should I use "declined to comment"?

Use "declined to comment" when someone is unwilling to provide information or an opinion on a specific matter, often in response to a question from the media or other inquiring party.