he refused to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he refused to go" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone declined or was unwilling to leave a place or attend an event. Example: "Despite the invitation, he refused to go to the party, citing prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He refused to go with her.

The New Yorker

He refused to go to Brooklyn.

The New Yorker

But he refused to go with them.

The New York Times

But he refused to go back to the field.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He refused to go on," Mancini later said.

The New York Times

He refused to go back on his promise.

The New York Times

Still, he refused to go back on antidepressants.

The New York Times

When his draft number came up, he refused to go.

The New York Times

"He refused to go into bankruptcy," Mr. Herbst said.

The New York Times

"He refused to go to bed!" my mom said.

The New York Times - Style

He refused to go and was denied parole in absentia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he refused to go", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the refusal to enhance understanding and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses. If the refusal happened in the past, maintain past tense consistency throughout the sentence to prevent confusion. For example, avoid saying "He refuses to go yesterday."

Linguistic Context

"He refused to go" functions as a declarative statement. It asserts a specific action (or inaction) taken by a male subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he refused to go" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a male person's unwillingness to proceed or attend. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. Its usage is prominent in news and media, making it a versatile phrase for various contexts. While alternatives like "he declined to go" offer a more formal tone, "he refused to go" remains a clear and direct way to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he declined to go

More formal alternative using "declined" instead of "refused".

he wouldn't go

Informal contraction using "wouldn't" for a less forceful refusal.

he was unwilling to go

Emphasizes a lack of willingness rather than a direct refusal.

he resisted going

Suggests active opposition to going.

he objected to going

Implies a formal or stated opposition.

he demurred about going

A more nuanced refusal, suggesting hesitation or doubt.

he abstained from going

Suggests a deliberate choice to not participate.

he stayed away

Focuses on the action of not going rather than the refusal itself.

he passed on the opportunity to go

More descriptive and indirect way of expressing refusal.

he vetoed the idea of going

A strong, authoritative refusal.

FAQs

What does "he refused to go" mean?

The phrase "he refused to go" indicates that a male person declined or was unwilling to leave a place or attend an event. It implies a deliberate choice not to participate or proceed.

What can I say instead of "he refused to go"?

You can use alternatives like "he declined to go", "he wouldn't go", or "he was unwilling to go" depending on the context.

Is "he refused to go" formal or informal?

"He refused to go" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "he declined to go".

How to use "he refused to go" in a sentence?

You can use "he refused to go" to describe someone's unwillingness to participate in an activity or go to a specific place. For example, "Despite the invitation, he refused to go to the party."