refuse to furnish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuse to furnish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a refusal to provide or supply something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The company decided to refuse to furnish the requested documents to the auditors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Where any information required of a recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other agency, institution or person and this agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient shall so certify in its report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the information.

Cornell University

"No doubt, when, after having an object delivered, or profiting from a service, I refuse to furnish a suitable equivalent, I take from another what belongs to him, and we can say that society, by obliging me to keep my promise, is only preventing an injury, an indirect aggression.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

With Adjani refusing to furnish French journalists with quotations, they were thrown back on their own prose.

The Guardian

refused to furnish any care at all, on the ground that the care was not covered or not necessary.

The New York Times

In the convention-turned-legislature he helped Thomas Jefferson disestablish the church but lost reelection by refusing to furnish the electors with free whiskey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It states that the companies refused to furnish the superintendent the necessary facts, and that accordingly such findings could not be made.

Cornell University

And where no judicial review was provided by Congress this Court has often refused to furnish one even where questions of law might be involved.

Cornell University

In February, JP Morgan broke off a 35-year relationship with the bank after the IOR refused to furnish it with information the Vatican considered excessive.

The Guardian

Reynolds has said that despite several requests for a copy of his personnel file -- and a subpoena from the state -- ESPN has refused to furnish one.

The New York Times

In January, the court in Hawaii held Imelda Marcos, Marcos's widow, and the couple's son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in contempt for refusing to furnish information and for continuing to use frozen assets of the estate.

The New York Times

The short of it is that the conviction of a self-confessed dope peddler is reversed because the Government refused to furnish the name of its informant whose identity the undisputed evidence indicated was well known to the peddler.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refuse to furnish", ensure the context is formal or legal, as it carries a more serious tone than simply "decline" or "not provide".

Common error

Avoid using "refuse to furnish" in casual conversation; it sounds overly formal and can be perceived as pompous. Opt for simpler alternatives like "won't give" or "decline to provide".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to furnish" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates a deliberate action of withholding or denying something that is requested or required. Ludwig examples show it in contexts relating to providing information or care.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refuse to furnish" is a formal verb phrase that means to decline or reject providing something. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's best suited for formal or legal contexts and should be used sparingly in casual settings. Alternatives like "decline to provide" or "withhold from supplying" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. While grammatically sound, its infrequent usage suggests that being mindful of context and formality will ensure clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to provide

Emphasizes a polite or formal rejection of a request.

withhold from supplying

Highlights the act of holding back or not releasing something.

decline to supply

Similar to 'decline to provide' but focuses specifically on the act of supplying.

reject to provide

Suggests a stronger and more direct refusal.

fail to provide

Focuses on the lack of provision, potentially without implying intent.

hold back from giving

Highlights the act of consciously restraining from offering something.

decline to give

A simple and direct way of stating refusal to give something.

refrain from offering

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to offer something.

not be willing to provide

Expresses a lack of willingness or inclination to furnish.

be unwilling to furnish

Highlights reluctance or opposition in supplying something.

FAQs

What does "refuse to furnish" mean?

The phrase "refuse to furnish" means to decline or reject providing something that is requested or required. It often implies a formal or official context.

How to use "refuse to furnish" in a sentence?

You can use "refuse to furnish" in a sentence like, "The witness decided to refuse to furnish the necessary documents to the court."

What are some alternatives to "refuse to furnish"?

Some alternatives to "refuse to furnish" include "decline to provide", "withhold from supplying", or "fail to provide".

When is it appropriate to use "refuse to furnish"?

"Refuse to furnish" is appropriate in formal settings such as legal documents, official reports, or when conveying a serious denial. It is less suited for casual conversation.