declined to practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined to practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has chosen not to engage in a particular profession or activity, often in a formal context. Example: "After much consideration, she declined to practice law after passing the bar exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

During the years I wrestled with my metaphysical selves as I declined to practice any religion, I used to listen to former Governor Mario Cuomo on the radio early on Sunday mornings.

Huffington Post

She started law school at the University of Alabama, spent the summer of 1948 at Oxford University, and then declined to practice law at the family firm in Monroeville.

Huffington Post

Two relatively young primiparous women were however still not comfortable with handling their tiny infants and as such declined to practice KMC.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If a practice declined to take part the next practice on the list from that stratum was invited.

BMC Medical Education

In June 2007, Judge Haight declined to stop the practice, although he said he would entertain further challenges.

The New York Times

Mr. Giuliani has not yet collected soft money but also has declined to repudiate the practice, leading Mrs. Clinton's aides to call him a hypocrite.

The New York Times

He declined to specify the practice's total gross income last year, but said that each of the five physicians earned less than the $177,000 national median for internists.

The New York Times

But the Antiquarian Booksellers Association, which for years declined to notice the practice, now has tightened its rules to stipulate that any member known to be thus breaking the law shall be thrown out, whether he is legally convicted or not.

The New Yorker

(His language proved stronger than his actions; under pressure from mortgage bankers, he declined to outlaw such practices).

The New York Times

Officials at some big mortgage servicers declined to discuss their practices, but an executive at Wells Fargo, which services the seventh-largest subprime loan portfolio, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, a trade publication, says it has taken an active approach.

The New York Times

Lemarignier declined to say which practices were deemed sub-standard, citing issues of confidentiality.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declined to practice" when you want to emphasize a formal or considered decision not to pursue a specific activity or profession after having the opportunity to do so.

Common error

Avoid using "declined to practice" when a simpler term like "refused" or "did not" suffices. This phrase carries a connotation of having been offered an opportunity or having completed training, making it inappropriate in contexts where this isn't the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined to practice" functions as a verb phrase indicating a conscious and deliberate decision to not engage in a specific activity or profession. Ludwig's examples show it used to express the choice of not pursuing a career or involvement in a particular field.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined to practice" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a deliberate decision not to engage in a particular activity or profession. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally common, it frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations where a formal opportunity or qualification exists, and consider alternatives like "chose not to pursue" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refused to engage in

Focuses on the act of refusal, emphasizing a conscious decision against participation.

chose not to pursue

Highlights the deliberate choice to not follow a specific path or activity.

opted out of

Emphasizes a decision to withdraw or not participate in something.

desisted from

Suggests a more formal or deliberate ceasing of an activity.

abstained from

Implies a voluntary refraining from something, often with a moral or ethical connotation.

forwent the opportunity to

Highlights the missed chance or possibility of engaging in something.

bypassed the chance to

Focuses on the act of skipping or going around an opportunity.

passed up the opportunity to

Emphasizes the act of letting a chance go by without taking it.

evaded the need to

Suggests an avoidance of a required or expected action.

shunned the opportunity to

Implies a deliberate avoidance or rejection of an opportunity, often due to dislike or fear.

FAQs

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

The phrase "declined to practice" is used to indicate a conscious decision not to engage in a particular profession or activity, despite having the qualifications or opportunity. For example, "She "declined to practice" law after passing the bar exam".

What are some alternatives to "declined to practice"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "chose not to pursue", "refused to engage in", or "opted out of".

Is it correct to say "declined practicing" instead of "declined to practice"?

No, the correct construction is "declined to practice". "Declined practicing" is grammatically incorrect. The infinitive form "to practice" should be used after "declined".

What's the difference between "declined to practice" and "refused to practice"?

"Declined to practice" suggests a more formal and considered decision, often implying that an opportunity or qualification existed. "Refused to practice" is a more general term indicating a rejection or unwillingness to engage in an activity, without necessarily implying a prior opportunity. Therefore, ""declined to practice"" is more appropriate when an opportunity was present.