refuse to move

USAGE SUMMARY

'refuse to move' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate when someone is unwilling to change their position or attitude about something. For example, "The union members refused to move on their demands for higher wages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Politicians refuse to move ahead because some males have objected".

The New York Times

If the writers refuse to move, the landlord must go to court to seek their eviction.

The New York Times

About 14 business owners refuse to move (or are saying they will not).

The New York Times

We will sit down in the streets and refuse to move..

The Guardian

These memoir pieces circle around ancient difficulties, and refuse to move on.

The Guardian - Books

If you refuse to move, your employer may be able to avoid paying you redundancy.

The Guardian - Money

My fingers refuse to move across the keys as my mind is clouded with pain and anguish.

Independent

Cricket was described by one Guardian columnist on Friday as one of three sports which "refuse to move forward".

The Guardian - Sport

Wright, in contrast to Vince, seems to think she should have the right to refuse to move on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simple common sense … I can say that I refuse to move, but that's being stupid isn't it?

The Guardian

The owners rent the ground floors of the tenements, then don't pay up and refuse to move, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refuse to move" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the refusal is physical, ideological, or metaphorical. For example, "The protesters refused to move from the barricade" (physical) versus "The senator refused to move on the issue of tax reform" (ideological).

Common error

Avoid using "refuse to move" when a more precise verb might be appropriate. For instance, instead of "They refuse to move the statue", consider "They declined to relocate the statue" or "They opposed moving the statue" to clarify the nature of the refusal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to move" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a decision or action to not change location or position. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English. The phrase can be used literally to describe physical immobility or figuratively to represent resistance to change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refuse to move" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a deliberate decision to remain stationary, whether physically or figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used. Analysis of various sources indicates its prevalence in contexts ranging from news reports and formal business documents to encyclopedic entries and even scientific literature. While primarily neutral in register, the specific nuance of "refuse to move" can be tailored through careful attention to context. Remember to consider if a more specific and precise verb phrase might be more appropriate for your particular use case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to relocate

Focuses specifically on the unwillingness to change physical location.

remain stationary

Emphasizes the act of staying in one place.

stand firm

Highlights the determination to not be swayed from a position or belief.

be unwilling to budge

Indicates a stubborn refusal to change one's mind or position.

dig in one's heels

Suggests a strong resistance to change or movement.

not give way

Implies a resistance to pressure or force.

reject displacement

Specifically addresses the refusal to be moved from a location or position.

resist relocation

Highlights active opposition to being moved.

hold one's ground

Emphasizes defending a current position or location.

stay put

A simpler, more informal way of saying 'remain in the same location'.

FAQs

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

You can use "refuse to move" to describe a physical resistance, as in "The cat "refused to move" from the sunny spot". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "The company "refused to move" its position on the environmental regulations".

What are some alternatives to saying "refuse to move"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "decline to relocate", "stand firm", or "be unwilling to budge".

Is it correct to say "refuses to move" instead of "refuse to move"?

Yes, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "refuses to move" for singular subjects (e.g., "He refuses to move"), and "refuse to move" for plural subjects (e.g., "They refuse to move").

What's the difference between "refusing to move" and "refuse to move"?

"Refusing to move" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are refusing to move"). "Refuse to move" is the base form, used with modal verbs (e.g., "They will refuse to move") or with plural subjects in the present tense (e.g., "They refuse to move").