refuse to buy

USAGE SUMMARY

"refuse to buy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to decline or reject the opportunity to purchase something. Example: I refuse to buy products that are tested on animals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

'Oh, I refuse to buy it!

The Guardian

"Buyers literally refuse to buy in presales," Mr. Lansill said.

The New York Times

"I almost refuse to buy at auction," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

They can sell them in the open market and they can refuse to buy any more.

The Economist

"There's no economy, so sometimes people refuse to buy things for the real price," she said.

The New York Times

Sceptics note that although car insurance is also compulsory, many drivers refuse to buy it.

The Economist

Better still, the government can simply refuse to buy milk at ridiculously jacked-up prices.

The Economist

Facts notwithstanding, they refuse to buy it, as if they've been fooled by a parlor trick.

The New York Times

Otherwise customers will refuse to buy shares in future I.P.O.'s underwritten by that bank.

The New York Times

In the second, for whatever reason, investors refuse to buy US bonds.

The New York Times

They're nice shoes, too, but I refuse to buy them as a matter of principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to buy" when you want to express a firm decision not to purchase something, whether due to ethical reasons, financial constraints, or personal preferences. For example, "I refuse to buy fast fashion because of its environmental impact."

Common error

Be careful not to use "refuse to buy" when you simply cannot afford something. "Refuse" implies a choice, whereas inability suggests a lack of means. Instead of saying "I refuse to buy that car", when you mean you can't afford it, say "I can't afford to buy that car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to buy" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate decision to not engage in a purchase. It directly expresses the subject's unwillingness to acquire a specific item or service. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refuse to buy" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a deliberate decision not to purchase something. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in written English. As demonstrated by the many examples, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it often describes consumer boycotts, ethical purchasing decisions, or economic trends. While generally neutral in tone, the specific context can influence the formality of the phrase. Alternatives such as ""decline to purchase"" offer more formal options, while ""won't buy"" is a more informal variant. Remember to use "refuse to buy" when you are making a conscious choice not to purchase and not when you simply lack the means to do so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

won't buy

A more informal contraction of "will not buy".

decline to purchase

A more formal alternative that conveys a polite rejection of a purchase.

not willing to buy

Highlights the lack of willingness to make a purchase.

avoid buying

Focuses on the action of staying away from making a purchase.

reject the purchase of

Emphasizes the act of rejection rather than simple refusal.

opt out of buying

Emphasizes a conscious decision to not participate in a purchase.

abstain from buying

Suggests a deliberate choice to avoid buying something, often for ethical or moral reasons.

forgo buying

Indicates sacrificing the opportunity to buy something.

pass on buying

An informal way of saying you are choosing not to buy something.

boycott

Implies a collective refusal to buy as a form of protest.

FAQs

How can I use "refuse to buy" in a sentence?

You can use "refuse to buy" to express a strong decision not to purchase something. For example: "I "refuse to buy" products from companies that exploit child labor."

What are some alternatives to "refuse to buy"?

Some alternatives include "decline to purchase", "won't buy", or "not willing to buy" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "refuse to buy" or "decline to buy"?

"Refuse to buy" is more direct and can imply a stronger stance, while "decline to purchase" is more formal and polite. The best choice depends on the context and your intended tone.

What's the difference between "refuse to buy" and "can't afford to buy"?

"Refuse to buy" implies a conscious decision not to purchase something, often for ethical or personal reasons. "Can't afford to buy", on the other hand, means you lack the financial means to make the purchase.