refusal to comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refusal to comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is choosing not to provide a statement or opinion on a particular matter. Example: "The spokesperson issued a statement regarding the allegations but maintained a refusal to comment on specific details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

City's refusal to comment appears to be a determined policy in relation to perceived cyber-hacks.

The Guardian - Sport

Independent approaches to the coroner were met with a refusal to comment.

The Guardian

The President's refusal to comment on theaffair in detail have been mocked in the rest of the world.

Independent

He simply answered the question with what amounted to a polite, if linguistically sophisticated, refusal to comment and retreated to the background of the news conference.

The New York Times

We don't know this for sure because of the British government's refusal to comment on the activities of the SAS or the SBS, its naval equivalent.

The Guardian

Last week, Trump offered his first public condemnation of the anti-Semitic incidents, relenting in the face of extensive criticism about his refusal to comment publicly.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Evaluated in this context, Walker's comments, or refusals to comment, about Obama's beliefs look less like gaffes and more like carefully considered elements of a larger plan — and one that's working for him.

The New Yorker

A Prison Service spokeswoman refused to comment on Cregan's status or condition, but added: "We take food refusal extremely seriously.

Independent

On Friday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders refused to comment, saying she was "not going to comment on an internal staff meeting" and framing her refusal to do so as a refusal "to validate a leak".

The Guardian

It is not unusual for daring and provocative actions attributed to Israel to be greeted here with official silence, though the refusals to comment are sometimes accompanied by winks and nods.

The New York Times

Of course, the refusal of the team to comment on any changes to the offers inevitably results in a certain amount of guesswork.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refusal to comment" when you want to emphasize the deliberate act of declining to provide information, often in response to a specific inquiry or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "refusal to comment" in casual conversations; opt for simpler phrases like "I'd rather not say" or "I don't want to talk about it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refusal to comment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action or state of declining to give an opinion or statement. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refusal to comment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms. It describes the act of declining to provide information, often in formal settings like news reports and business communications. While alternatives like "no comment" exist, "refusal to comment" emphasizes the deliberate decision to remain silent. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and consider whether a simpler alternative might be more appropriate. The phrase appears predominantly in "News & Media" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no comment

A direct and concise way of stating a refusal to provide information.

declining to comment

Emphasizes the act of politely refusing to give a statement.

withholding comment

Implies actively keeping information back.

choosing not to respond

Highlights the deliberate decision to remain silent.

abstaining from comment

Formal way of saying someone is choosing not to comment.

opting not to say

Stresses the choice to abstain from speaking.

remaining silent

Focuses on the continued lack of response.

not offering a statement

Indicates the absence of an official announcement.

remaining tight-lipped

Implies a deliberate effort to keep something secret.

evading the question

Highlights the act of avoiding a direct answer.

FAQs

How can I use "refusal to comment" in a sentence?

You can use "refusal to comment" to describe someone's decision not to provide an opinion or statement on a particular issue. For example, "The company's "refusal to comment" fueled speculation about the merger."

What are some alternatives to "refusal to comment"?

Alternatives include "declining to comment", "no comment", or "choosing not to respond", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "refusal to comment" or "declined to comment"?

"Refusal to comment" is a noun phrase describing the act, while "declined to comment" is a verb phrase describing the action. Use "refusal to comment" when you need a noun and "declined to comment" when you need a verb.

When is it appropriate to use "no comment" instead of "refusal to comment"?

"No comment" is a more direct and often less formal way of indicating a "refusal to comment". It's suitable for situations where brevity is preferred, such as quick interactions with the press.