refuse to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuse to do" is correct and can be used in both spoken and written English.
For example, you could say: "John refused to do the dishes despite my repeated requests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just refuse to do it.

The New Yorker

Americans refuse to do them.

The Economist

I just refuse to do it.

The New York Times

Would you refuse to do it?

The New York Times

They refuse to do work deemed servile.

The New Yorker

"I refuse to do that," she said.

The New York Times

"I refuse to do them".

The Guardian

I refuse to do that".

The Guardian - Travel

I refuse to do this.

The Guardian - Money

I refuse to do this.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And I refuse to do it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refuse to do", ensure that the subject clearly understands what they are declining to do. Clarity enhances communication and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "refuse to do" in highly formal contexts where a more polite or diplomatic expression might be more appropriate, like "decline to perform" or "be unable to."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to do" functions as a verb phrase expressing a firm decision not to perform a particular action. It indicates a conscious and deliberate rejection of an activity, as shown in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refuse to do" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a firm decision not to perform an action. According to Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase for asserting boundaries or disagreements, with a neutral to informal register. While versatile, more formal options like "decline to do" may be preferred in certain contexts. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media but also appears in Wiki and formal business writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unwilling to do

Expresses a lack of enthusiasm or desire to perform an action.

decline to perform

Formal alternative indicating a polite rejection of a task or action.

not be prepared to do

Highlights a lack of readiness or agreement to undertake something.

won't undertake

A simple way of expressing a firm decision not to start or engage in something.

will not carry out

Indicates a decision not to execute or complete a specific task.

reject the notion of doing

Emphasizes a strong disagreement with the idea of performing an action.

opt out of doing

Suggests a choice to withdraw from an activity or responsibility.

stand against doing

Highlights opposition and unwillingness to participate in something.

avoid doing

To keep away from or stop oneself from doing something.

abstain from doing

Formal term that suggest you are not doing something by choice.

FAQs

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

You can use "refuse to do" to express a firm decision not to perform a certain action. For example, "I "refuse to do" that because it's against my principles."

What are some alternatives to "refuse to do"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "decline to perform", "be unwilling to do", or "reject the notion of doing".

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

"Refuse to do" and "decline to do" both express unwillingness, but "decline to do" is generally more formal and polite. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "refuse to do" and "avoid doing"?

"Refuse to do" implies a direct and conscious decision not to act, while "avoid doing" suggests taking steps to prevent something from happening or not engaging in it.