declines to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declines to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is refusing or choosing not to do something. Example: "The company declines to comment on the ongoing investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(He declines to elaborate).

The New York Times

Amazon declines to release numbers.

The New York Times

Mr. Andreessen declines to comment.

The New York Times

But he declines to elaborate.

The New York Times

The city "declines to conciliate".

The New York Times

Tranter declines to comment.

The Guardian

Barclay declines to say.

The Guardian

The company declines to comment, of course.

The New York Times

Ms Morvai declines to discuss the matter.

The Economist

She declines to discuss additional terms.

The New York Times

He declines to be more specific.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "declines to" with a brief explanation to provide context, if appropriate. For example: "The CEO declines to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings."

Common error

Avoid using "declines to" in casual conversation. Phrases like "I don't want to" or "I'd rather not" are more appropriate for informal settings. "Declines to" sounds overly formal in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declines to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a refusal or unwillingness to perform an action, comment, or provide information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used to indicate someone is refusing or choosing not to do something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declines to" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a formal refusal or unwillingness to comment, act, or provide information. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, predominantly in news and media, as well as formal business settings. Alternatives such as "refuses to" or "chooses not to" can be used depending on the level of formality required. When using "declines to", it's best to provide context or a brief explanation, and to avoid using it in overly casual conversations. This phrase offers a professional and diplomatic way to convey a negative response, making it a valuable tool in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuses to

This alternative is a direct synonym, indicating a firm unwillingness.

chooses not to

This alternative emphasizes a conscious decision against doing something.

opts out of

This suggests a deliberate choice to avoid involvement.

is unwilling to

This highlights a lack of willingness or enthusiasm.

is not prepared to

This indicates a lack of readiness or agreement.

passes on

Informal way of saying declines.

abstains from

This denotes a formal or official refusal.

evades

This means avoiding something, often cleverly or strategically.

sidesteps

This suggests skillfully avoiding a topic or question.

remains silent on

This emphasizes a deliberate choice not to speak about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "declines to" to indicate a refusal to comment or act. For example: "The spokesperson "declines to comment" on the allegations."

What's a more informal way to say "declines to"?

Informally, you could say "refuses to", "doesn't want to", or simply "won't".

When is it appropriate to use "declines to" instead of "refuses to"?

"Declines to" is often used in more formal or professional contexts, such as news reports or official statements, whereas "refuses to" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

What does it mean when someone "declines to answer" a question?

When someone "declines to answer", it means they are choosing not to provide a response, often to avoid self-incrimination, protect sensitive information, or avoid taking a position on a controversial issue.