refuse to give

USAGE SUMMARY

"refuse to give" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is most often used in situations where someone is unwilling to provide or surrender something that is being requested of them. Example: The thief refused to give back the stolen goods, despite the pleas of the store owner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To refuse to give me pictures!

The New Yorker

Steakhouses refuse to give it up.

The New York Times - Food

If you refuse to give up.

The Guardian

You can just refuse to give in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They refuse to give the rights of Palestinians back.

The New York Times

But they stubbornly refuse to give up on that dream.

The New York Times

I refuse to give them her last remains".

The New York Times

To the standardizers, we should refuse to give a centimeter.

The New York Times - Magazine

And yet, they refuse to give up on their aspirations.

The Guardian

Why does the British Museum refuse to give way?

The Guardian - Arts

Refuse to give up information whenever you can.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to give" when emphasizing a deliberate act of withholding something, whether tangible or intangible.

Common error

In very formal or professional writing, consider using stronger or more precise verbs like "withhold", "deny", or "decline" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to give" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig shows its use to express denial or unwillingness to provide something, whether tangible or intangible, as seen in examples like refusing to give information or rights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refuse to give" is a frequently used and grammatically correct verb phrase that expresses an unwillingness or denial to provide something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to be used in diverse contexts, though it is especially prevalent in news and media. When writing, it's important to consider the nuances of this phrase and whether alternatives like "withhold" or "decline to offer" might be more appropriate for specific registers. The abundance of examples underscores its common usage and straightforward meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withhold

Focuses on holding something back rather than actively denying it.

hold back

Focuses on restraining oneself from giving something.

won't provide

A more colloquial way of stating unwillingness to provide.

decline to offer

Formal alternative emphasizing a polite but firm rejection.

not grant

Emphasizes the lack of permission or authorization.

reject providing

Highlights the act of turning down the opportunity to provide.

deny provision of

More formal and specific, highlighting the denial of a particular item or service.

refrain from offering

More formal and emphasizes conscious self-restraint.

decline to extend

Specifically denies an offer to prolong or expand something.

fail to supply

Highlights the inability or omission in providing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "refuse to give" to express an unwillingness to provide something. For example, "The company refused to give the employees a raise".

What's a more formal way to say "refuse to give"?

Consider using "decline to offer" or "deny provision of" for a more formal tone.

Is there a subtle difference between "refuse to give" and "withhold"?

"Refuse to give" implies a direct denial, whereas "withhold" suggests a temporary holding back, not necessarily a permanent denial.

When is it appropriate to use "refuse to give" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "refuse to give" in both formal and informal contexts where you want to emphasize a deliberate act of denying or withholding something. Ensure the tone aligns with the context.