refuse to do so

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "refuse to do so" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone has requested or ordered someone to do something and they choose to not comply. For example: "The teacher asked the students to stay after class, but many of them refused to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The governor, who is also a Democrat, had said he would refuse to do so.

The New York Times

If one or more countries refuse to do so, there is no agreement.

The New York Times

"If we refuse to do so, it says we are terrorists.

The New York Times

The only shameful thing, in fact, is to refuse to do so.

The Economist

They can refuse to do so if they believe an extradition request is politically motivated.

The Economist

As they stubbornly refuse to do so, European taxpayers' bill go up and up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even if shareholders refuse to do so, TPG may still get its way.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Romney refused to do so.

The New York Times

"He refused to do so".

The New York Times

The MoD refused to do so.

The Economist

Fox has refused to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to do so" when clearly indicating a conscious decision not to comply with a request, order, or expectation. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what action is being refused.

Common error

Avoid using "refuse to do so" in extremely formal or polite contexts where a gentler phrasing like "decline to" or "unable to comply" might be more appropriate. "Refuse" can sometimes sound more assertive than intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to do so" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a direct and conscious decision to not perform a specified action. It often follows a request, instruction, or expectation, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refuse to do so" is a versatile phrase used to express a deliberate decision not to comply with a request or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. While it carries a neutral tone, it's important to consider the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. Related phrases like "decline to do so" can offer a more polite alternative. The phrase is frequently found in news, media, and academic contexts, making it a valuable expression to understand and use effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to do so

Emphasizes a polite or formal rejection of an action.

decline to perform the action

More formal and emphasizes the action not being carried out.

be unwilling to do that

Highlights a lack of willingness or enthusiasm.

opt not to do that

Suggests a deliberate choice against performing the action.

choose not to proceed

Implies a decision to halt or not start an action.

not be inclined to do that

Highlights a disinclination or lack of motivation to act.

abstain from doing so

Suggests restraint or refraining from the action.

hold back from acting

Emphasizes hesitation or restraint in taking action.

beg to differ

Suggests a polite disagreement that might lead to not performing the action.

resist the urge to do so

Implies a conscious effort to not perform the action due to some temptation or impulse.

FAQs

How to use "refuse to do so" in a sentence?

Use "refuse to do so" after a statement or question that implies an expected action. For instance, "The company asked him to relocate, but he "refused to do so"."

What can I say instead of "refuse to do so"?

You can use alternatives like "decline to do so", "be unwilling to do that", or "opt not to do that" depending on the context.

Is "refuse to do so" formal or informal?

"Refuse to do so" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very formal situations, "decline to do so" might be preferred, while in informal contexts, simpler phrases like "won't do it" could be used.

What's the difference between "refuse to do so" and "decline to do so"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of agreement to do something, "refuse to do so" suggests a stronger, more assertive rejection. "Decline to do so" implies a more polite or formal rejection.