opted not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opted not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a choice or decision to refrain from doing something. Example: "After careful consideration, she opted not to attend the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They opted not to.

The Washington Post

But he opted not to run.

The New York Times

They opted not to print the letter.

The New Yorker

Club opted not to renew his contract.

Independent

(He ultimately opted not to go).

The New York Times

Langen opted not to compete tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, many parents have opted not to answer them.

University of California, Berkeley

In the end, his command opted not to prosecute.

The New York Times

But he opted not to take another cortisone shot.

The New York Times

Kazmann opted not to wait for the caboose.

The New Yorker

The team simply opted not to re-sign him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opted not to" when you want to emphasize a conscious decision against a particular course of action. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "opted not to" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "It was opted not to proceed", try "They opted not to proceed", which is more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opted not to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate choice or decision to refrain from a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opted not to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a deliberate decision against a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application, particularly in news, academic and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "chose not to" or "decided not to" exist, "opted not to" remains a concise and clear choice for expressing a considered decision to refrain from something. When writing, remember to use it in active constructions to maintain a strong and engaging tone. The phrase is suitable for a broad audience, fitting well within neutral and even formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chose not to

Direct synonym, indicating a selection against a specific action.

decided not to

Indicates a decision was made to refrain from something.

elected not to

Similar to "chose", but often implies a more formal selection.

declined to

Suggests a polite refusal of an opportunity or offer.

refused to

Indicates a firm and often explicit rejection.

passed on

Informal way of saying someone chose not to participate or accept something.

avoided

Implies taking action to prevent something from happening or being involved.

bypassed

Suggests going around or ignoring a certain procedure or option.

abstained from

Formal way of saying someone deliberately refrained from doing something, like voting.

forwent

Means to deliberately not do or have something, often for a specific reason.

FAQs

What does "opted not to" mean?

The phrase "opted not to" means to have chosen or decided against doing something. It indicates a deliberate decision to refrain from a particular action.

How can I use "opted not to" in a sentence?

You can use "opted not to" to describe someone's decision not to pursue a specific course of action. For example: "After careful consideration, she "chose not to" attend the meeting."

Which is correct, "opted not to" or "did not opt to"?

"Opted not to" is a more concise and common way of expressing the same idea as "did not opt to". Both are grammatically correct, but "opted not to" is generally preferred for its brevity and natural flow.

What are some alternatives to "opted not to"?

Alternatives to "opted not to" include "chose not to", "decided not to", or "declined to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.