does not cooperate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not cooperate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone fails to work together with another person or group in order to achieve a goal. For example, "Despite our best efforts, the other team does not cooperate, so we are unable to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet there are limits to what can be done when nature does not cooperate.

The New York Times - Food

An optimistic tone is far harder to project when the economy does not cooperate.

The New York Times

But if Mother Nature does not cooperate, and it looks as if she won't this year, farmers will need crop insurance as a backup plan.

The New York Times

No other players or international federations have indicated what they will do if the N.H.L. does not cooperate with the I.O.C. in 2014.

The New York Times

Detective so-and-so asks questions; the suspect does not cooperate, but unwittingly leaves damning DNA on a cigarette butt or a soda can.

The New York Times

If Conte does not cooperate, the anti-doping agency may find it hard to interpret some documents, lawyers in the case said.

The New York Times - Sports

If Barack Obama does not cooperate with Congress and help make present and former officials available for testimony, these hearings will not succeed.

The New York Times

The United States and Britain want one resolution with rigorous inspections and a trigger for military action if Iraq does not cooperate.

The New York Times

That can take days and may even require a court order if the owner or the service center does not cooperate.

The New York Times

The United States and Britain drafted a resolution calling for military retaliation if President Saddam Hussein does not cooperate fully with arms inspections.

The New York Times

But after a final vote Sept. 15, "Republika Srpska will no longer be an enclave which does not cooperate with the tribunal," Justice Minister Biljana Maric said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not cooperate", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is expected to cooperate. Specify the area or activity of non-cooperation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "does not cooperate" in situations where collaboration is not reasonably expected or required. Clearly establish the expectation of cooperation before using the phrase to describe its absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not cooperate" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of collaborative action. It's used to indicate that a subject is failing to work jointly with others, as shown in Ludwig's examples where entities from individuals to nations are described as not working together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not cooperate" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression indicating a lack of collaboration. As Ludwig highlights, it frequently appears in news, scientific, and general contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives such as "fails to comply" or "is uncooperative" can be used depending on the intended emphasis, ensuring the context clearly defines the expected collaboration is crucial for effective communication. Ludwig's AI confirms the phrase's correctness, further solidifying its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuses to collaborate

Indicates an active unwillingness to work together.

fails to comply

Emphasizes a failure to meet required standards or regulations.

is uncooperative

A more direct adjective form describing the lack of cooperation.

declines to assist

Highlights a refusal to provide help or support.

is resistant to

Suggests opposition or reluctance towards something.

opposes collaboration

Indicates active opposition to working together.

is non-compliant

Similar to "fails to comply", but emphasizes the state of not meeting requirements.

bucks the system

More idiomatic, suggesting a deliberate defiance of established norms.

goes it alone

Implies a choice to work independently, rather than collaborate.

acts independently

Focuses on autonomous action, possibly to the exclusion of others.

FAQs

What does "does not cooperate" mean?

The phrase "does not cooperate" means that someone or something is unwilling or unable to work together with others to achieve a common goal.

How can I use "does not cooperate" in a sentence?

You can use "does not cooperate" to describe a person, group, or entity that refuses to collaborate or assist. For example, "The suspect "refuses to collaborate" with the police in their investigation".

What can I say instead of "does not cooperate"?

Alternatives to "does not cooperate" include phrases like "fails to comply", "is uncooperative", or "declines to assist", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "does not cooperate" versus ""refuses to collaborate""?

"Does not cooperate" is a more neutral term, while ""refuses to collaborate"" implies a more active and deliberate choice to not work with others. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the lack of willingness or simply the lack of cooperation.