declined to comment

USAGE SUMMARY

"declined to comment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that a person did not want to respond to a question or make a statement. For example, "When asked about the scandal, the mayor declined to comment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Montefiore declined to comment.

The New York Times - Health

CNBC declined to comment.

The New York Times

Eihab declined to comment.

The New York Times

KCET declined to comment.

The New York Times

Target declined to comment.

The New York Times

Janus declined to comment.

The New York Times

LIC declined to comment.

The New York Times

(Remington declined to comment).

The New Yorker

Brookfield declined to comment.

The New York Times

Ford declined to comment.

The New York Times

Ebersol declined to comment.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declined to comment" when you want to indicate a deliberate choice not to provide information, typically in response to a specific question or request. It is commonly used in journalism to report that someone refused to give a statement.

Common error

Avoid using "declined to comment" when someone is simply unreachable or unavailable. In such cases, it's more accurate to state that the individual "was unavailable for comment" rather than implying a deliberate refusal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined to comment" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a person or entity has chosen not to provide a response or opinion on a particular matter. Ludwig examples show it used mainly in the news and media to report the unwillingness of someone to offer information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined to comment" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone has chosen not to provide information or an opinion on a particular matter. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for professional communications. While alternatives like "refused to comment" or "offered no comment" exist, "declined to comment" is a standard and widely understood way to report a lack of response. The phrase is an objective way of reporting that a statement was requested but not provided, without implying any judgment or speculation about the reasons behind the refusal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refused to comment

Replaces "declined" with "refused", maintaining the same meaning of unwillingness to provide a statement.

offered no comment

Indicates the person chose not to give any statement.

chose not to respond

Focuses on the act of not responding, rather than specifically declining to comment.

remained silent

Highlights the lack of verbal response, implying a choice not to speak.

would not elaborate

Suggests a decision not to provide further details or explanations.

withheld comment

Emphasizes the act of holding back information or a statement.

did not wish to speak about it

Indicates a personal desire to avoid discussing the topic.

preferred not to say

Expresses a preference for not disclosing information.

no statement was provided

Focuses on the absence of a statement, without attributing it to a specific choice.

was unavailable for comment

Indicates that the person could not be reached or was not accessible for a statement.

FAQs

How is "declined to comment" typically used in reporting?

In news reporting, "declined to comment" is used to indicate that a person or organization was asked for a statement but chose not to provide one. It's a standard way of acknowledging that an attempt was made to get their side of the story, even if they "offered no comment".

What does it imply when someone "declines to comment"?

While it can simply mean they don't want to speak on the record, "declined to comment" might also suggest the person is avoiding the issue, doesn't have enough information, or is legally restricted from speaking. However, the phrase itself is neutral, simply reporting the fact of their "refusal to comment".

Are there more formal alternatives to "declined to comment"?

In more formal writing, you might use phrases like "refused to provide a statement", "chose not to respond", or "was unavailable for comment". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but may be more suitable for formal or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "declined to comment" or "refused to comment"?

"Declined to comment" and "refused to comment" are largely interchangeable. "Declined" might be perceived as slightly more polite, while "refused" can sound a bit more forceful. The best choice depends on the specific context and the tone you want to convey.