kindly decline

USAGE SUMMARY

"kindly decline" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an expression used to politely say "no" to a request. For example, if you were invited to a party but had to say no due to prior plans, you might reply with, "Thank you for the invitation, but I must kindly decline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In late November 2016, Steel asked her agent to kindly decline the invitation, and went about her day.

The Washington Post

"In cases where we receive requests for donations or support for projects – such as the possibility of purchasing Lego bricks in large quantities – where we are made aware that there is a political context, we therefore kindly decline support".

The Guardian - Arts

His widow Daphne phoned the PM's office on Saturday to "kindly decline" the offer, Mr Abbott said.

BBC

Kindly Decline: Ashley Orndorff, Visual Impact Group, offers some insight from the other side of the fence.

Huffington Post

I also offer a script to help you respond to your friends and family so that you can kindly decline what you don't want to eat without offending anyone.

HuffPost

In cases where we receive requests for donations or support for projects -  such as the possibility of purchasing  LEGO bricks in very large quantities, which is not possible through normal sales channels - where we are made aware that there is a political context, we therefore kindly decline support.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Then handed back the CD, saying it was for us and kindly declined keeping it.

The Guardian - Music

On Sunday his family "kindly declined" an offer by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's to have a state funeral in favour of something "very quiet and very private", Mr Abbott said.

BBC

Still, this feature is far from foolproof: If the phone is turned off, in use or out of cell range, the system reports a failure and kindly declines to charge for the effort.

Forbes

The man kindly declined.

Vice

I looked at my wife and could read that this wasn't working for us, so I kindly declined the offer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kindly decline" when you want to politely and formally refuse an offer or invitation. It softens the rejection, making it suitable for professional or courteous communication.

Common error

Avoid using "kindly decline" in informal settings or when a simple "no, thank you" suffices. Overusing formal language can sound stiff or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kindly decline" functions as a polite and formal way to refuse or reject an offer, invitation, or suggestion. As Ludwig explains, it expresses a refusal with a softened tone, suitable for professional or courteous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kindly decline" is a polite and formal expression used to refuse an offer or invitation. Ludwig's analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for professional or courteous communication, as highlighted in the provided examples. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a degree of formality is appropriate, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternatives like "politely refuse" or "respectfully decline" can be used depending on the context. In summary, "kindly decline" is a useful tool for expressing refusal with grace and consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respectfully decline

Substitutes "kindly" with "respectfully", maintaining a formal and polite tone.

respectfully reject

Expresses a higher sense of respect compared to QUERY.

regretfully decline

Emphasizes the speaker's regret in refusing, adding an emotional layer.

politely refuse

Replaces "decline" with a more direct synonym and omits "kindly", reducing the level of formality.

gratefully decline

Similar to declining with thanks but emphasizes the gratitude more directly.

decline with thanks

Explicitly expresses gratitude while refusing, softening the rejection.

politely reject

Uses "reject" instead of "decline", which can sound slightly stronger but is softened by "politely".

must decline

Indicates a necessary refusal, conveying a sense of obligation or unavoidable circumstance.

unable to accept

Focuses on the inability to accept an offer or invitation, rather than directly declining.

beg to decline

An older, more formal way of declining, implying humility and respect.

FAQs

How to use "kindly decline" in a sentence?

"Kindly decline" is used to politely refuse an offer or invitation. For example, "I "must kindly decline" your generous offer due to prior commitments".

What can I say instead of "kindly decline"?

Alternatives include "politely refuse", "respectfully decline", or "regretfully decline", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "kindly decline" appropriate for informal situations?

While grammatically correct, "kindly decline" may sound overly formal in informal settings. Simpler phrases like "no thanks" or "I'll pass" are more appropriate.

Which is more formal, "kindly decline" or "respectfully decline"?

"Respectfully decline" and "kindly decline" are quite similar in formality. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you wish to convey.