declining to divulge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declining to divulge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone chooses not to reveal or share certain information. Example: "The spokesperson was declining to divulge any details about the ongoing investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Some of these things are quite revealing," he said, declining to divulge an estimated value for the collection, citing professional ethics.

The New York Times - Arts

Declining to divulge the exact details that were  discussed in the inner sanctum of the Gleneagles hotel ("There are some Americans in the room")., it is certain there would have been no need for Ferguson to unleash his infamous hairdryer treatment to teams that are underperforming.

Independent

While declining to divulge many other details of the suit, including the court in which it would be filed, he said it would charge the Saudi defendants with liability under American laws that "enable ordinary individuals to bring actions against against foreign governments invovled in terrorism and against particular individuals and corporations".

The New York Times

Trump famously bucked decades of tradition by declining to divulge his returns during his 2016 campaign or since he entered office.

Los Angeles Times

While declining to divulge the contents of the note, Andrew says he believes that Kravchenko might not have killed himself at all; he might have been the victim of a KGB hit.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

(She declined to divulge specifics).

The New York Times

She declined to divulge what they discussed.

The New York Times

Mr. Bialek declined to divulge pricing information.

The New York Times

He declined to divulge any details.

The New York Times

(Wilson declined to divulge his sources).

The New Yorker

Kreider declined to divulge his plans in a recent interview.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "declining to divulge", consider the reason for the refusal. If it's due to confidentiality, mentioning it briefly can provide context without revealing the information itself.

Common error

Avoid framing "declining to divulge" as inherently negative or dishonest. It's often a neutral statement of non-disclosure, not necessarily an admission of guilt or wrongdoing. Reserve judgment unless further evidence suggests otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declining to divulge" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating a refusal to provide specific information. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in journalistic contexts, conveying that someone is consciously choosing not to share details.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declining to divulge" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a refusal to share information. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While there are several alternative phrases, such as "refusing to disclose" and "choosing not to reveal", "declining to divulge" maintains a formal and neutral tone suitable for professional and journalistic writing. Though infrequent, its clear and direct meaning makes it an effective choice when conveying non-disclosure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refusing to disclose

Replaces "declining" with "refusing" and "divulge" with "disclose", maintaining a similar level of formality.

choosing not to reveal

Uses "choosing not to" instead of "declining", softening the tone slightly while retaining the core meaning.

opting to withhold

Emphasizes the conscious decision to keep information secret.

remaining silent about

Focuses on the lack of verbal communication regarding a specific topic.

keeping confidential

Highlights the act of maintaining secrecy, suggesting the information is sensitive.

not prepared to share

Indicates a lack of willingness to provide information at the present time.

holding back information

Suggests a deliberate act of preventing information from being known.

not willing to disclose

Similar to "not prepared to share", but places emphasis on unwillingness.

evading the question

Implies an attempt to avoid answering directly.

stonewalling

Informal term suggesting a complete refusal to cooperate or provide information.

FAQs

What does "declining to divulge" mean?

The phrase "declining to divulge" means that someone is refusing to reveal or share specific information. It suggests a conscious decision not to disclose something.

How can I use "declining to divulge" in a sentence?

You can use "declining to divulge" when reporting that a person or organization is unwilling to provide certain details. For example, "The company spokesperson was declining to divulge details of the ongoing investigation."

What are some alternatives to "declining to divulge"?

Alternatives include "refusing to disclose", "choosing not to reveal", or "opting to withhold" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "declining to divulge" in formal writing?

Yes, "declining to divulge" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports, business communications, or legal documents where a neutral tone and precise language are required.