refuse to confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

'refuse to confirm' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when someone does not want to give an answer or acknowledge something. Example: The company refused to confirm whether they were planning on closing the office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hospital staff refuse to confirm that this patient was the Boston bombing suspect the police describe.

The Guardian

The security services, as with Emwazi, routinely refuse to confirm or deny names.

The Guardian

The Senate should refuse to confirm nominees who do not take Congressional power seriously.

The New York Times

It is necessarily incomplete as many local officials refuse to confirm casualty information.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead, they simply refuse to confirm or deny that the men involved worked as agents at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

It should insist on an attorney general with integrity and political independence and refuse to confirm anyone else.

The New York Times

Even the proudly independent judiciary has suffered a blow as Republicans refuse to confirm Obama's supreme court nominee Merrick Garland.

The Guardian

The Senate should once again refuse to confirm Judge Pickering, and should carefully scrutinize the 30 other nominees the administration is putting forth.

The New York Times

The Senate must refuse to confirm Mr. von Spakovsky, an anti-voting-rights advocate cut from the same cloth as Mr. Tanner, to the F.E.C.

The New York Times

It is entirely just, then, that Moreno should refuse to confirm whether or not Hamilton will ever again play for the Angels.

The Guardian - Sport

This is probably some kind of record, although other problem countries, like Italy, Argentina and South Africa, refuse to confirm numbers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to confirm" when you want to convey a deliberate choice not to acknowledge or verify information, often to maintain secrecy or avoid taking a position. Consider the context carefully to determine if a more nuanced alternative like "decline to comment" or "neither confirm nor deny" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "refuse to confirm" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the tone seem adversarial. Opt for more neutral phrases like "decline to comment" or "are unable to verify" to maintain a professional distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to confirm" functions primarily as a declarative statement, indicating a decision or policy not to acknowledge or verify information. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refuse to confirm" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that signifies a deliberate decision to withhold affirmation or verification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a practical expression in various contexts, predominantly in news reporting and formal communications. While its meaning is straightforward, it's essential to consider the context to decide if more nuanced alternatives—like "decline to comment"—are more appropriate. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it suitable for professional settings, though overuse can create a somewhat adversarial tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to verify

Replaces "confirm" with "verify", suggesting a formal unwillingness to ascertain the truth.

decline to affirm

Substitutes "confirm" with "affirm", highlighting a refusal to assert something as true.

refrain from verifying

Replaces "refuse" with "refrain", softening the tone, and "confirm" with "verifying".

remain silent on

Shifts the focus to maintaining silence, implying a refusal to provide any information.

stay tight-lipped about

Emphasizes secrecy and a strong disinclination to disclose information.

decline to comment

Indicates a direct refusal to provide any statement or opinion on the matter.

neither confirm nor deny

Presents a neutral stance, explicitly avoiding both confirmation and denial.

withhold confirmation

Focuses on the act of holding back confirmation, suggesting a deliberate choice.

evade confirmation

Implies an active attempt to avoid confirming something, often through indirect responses.

stonewall the question

Indicates an unwillingness to answer a question directly, avoiding confirmation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "refuse to confirm" something?

To "refuse to confirm" means to deliberately avoid verifying or acknowledging something as true or accurate. It suggests a conscious decision not to provide affirmation, often to protect information or avoid taking a definitive stance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "refuse to confirm"?

It's appropriate to use "refuse to confirm" when describing a situation where someone is deliberately not verifying or acknowledging information. This often occurs when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters where a public statement could be detrimental.

What are some alternatives to "refuse to confirm"?

Alternatives to "refuse to confirm" include phrases like "decline to verify", "decline to comment", or "neither confirm nor deny", depending on the specific context and desired tone.

Is there a difference between "refuse to confirm" and "decline to confirm"?

While both phrases convey a lack of confirmation, "refuse to confirm" suggests a stronger, more deliberate unwillingness to provide affirmation. "Decline to confirm", on the other hand, can imply a more polite or formal disinclination.