opt out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrasal verb "opt out of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has chosen not to participate in something or has decided not to do something. Example: She opted out of the company's health insurance plan due to the high cost.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He wants to let states "opt out" of Social Security.

The New Yorker

"Opt out of Obamacare".

The New York Times

Opt out of Google's data collection?

The New York Times

"You can still opt out of it".

The New York Times

See Opt out of market research.

Cornell University

You can opt out of high maintenance".

The New York Times - Style

Employees could opt out of the program.

The New York Times

She didn't opt out of anything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

2. Opt-Out of Anxiety.

Huffington Post

Choose to opt-out of emails.

WikiHow

You can opt-out of these updates at any time.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opt out of" to clearly communicate a decision not to participate in something, ensuring the context makes it clear what the subject is choosing to avoid. For example, "Consumers can "opt out of" the service if they choose."

Common error

Avoid using "opt out of" interchangeably with phrases that imply inability rather than choice. "Opt out of" suggests a deliberate decision, not a lack of capacity. For instance, don't say "He opted out of breathing" when you mean "He couldn't breathe."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "opt out of" is as a phrasal verb, indicating a deliberate choice to withdraw or not participate in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, exemplified by sentences like "Consumers can "opt out of" the service if they choose."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "opt out of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of choosing not to participate in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science, with examples ranging from health plans to data collection. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate choice rather than an inability. For situations demanding greater formality, consider alternatives such as "withdraw from" or "decline to participate in". Remember that, when using "opt out of", clarity is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdraw from

Focuses on the action of removing oneself from a situation or agreement.

decline to participate in

Emphasizes a formal refusal to take part in something.

opt for exclusion from

Emphasizes the choice of being excluded.

choose not to engage in

Highlights the element of active decision-making against involvement.

refrain from

Implies a deliberate holding back from an action or activity.

abstain from

Suggests a more formal or principled decision to avoid something.

bow out of

Conveys a sense of graceful or strategic withdrawal.

back out of

Suggests a less formal withdrawal, sometimes implying a prior commitment.

pass on

Indicates a simple decision not to accept an offer or opportunity.

take a pass on

Suggests declining an opportunity, often casually.

FAQs

How can I use "opt out of" in a sentence?

Use "opt out of" to describe the action of choosing not to participate in something. For example, "Employees could "opt out of" the program" or "You can "opt out of" high maintenance".

What does "opt out of" mean?

"Opt out of" means to choose not to participate in something, or to remove oneself from an agreement or activity. It implies a conscious decision to be excluded.

What can I say instead of "opt out of"?

You can use alternatives like "withdraw from", "decline to participate in", or "refrain from" depending on the context.

Is "opt out of" formal or informal?

"Opt out of" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might prefer alternatives like "withdraw from".