refuse to reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuse to reply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone is choosing not to respond to a question or request. Example: "Despite multiple attempts to contact him, he continues to refuse to reply to my emails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The bodies of foreign women beheaded in Saudi Arabia, however, have never been repatriated to their home countries - Saudi authorities routinely refuse to reply to such requests.

Independent

"He had no reason to turn the button making the plane go down, he had no reason not to allow his captain to return to the cockpit, he had no reason to refuse to reply to air traffic controllers, he had no reason to refuse to tap a code to alert other aircraft in the zone … already that's a lot".

The Guardian

"He had no reason to turn [on] the button making the plane go down, he had no reason to prevent his captain to return to the cockpit, that's already a lot, he had no reason to refuse to reply to air traffic controllers that alerted him to his drop in altitude, he had no reason to refuse to tap a code to alert other aircraft in the zone … already that's a lot".

The Guardian

In other words, if two neighboring ordinary nodes claim different root key identifiers for the same auxiliary node, the auxiliary node will refuse to reply such request messages.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Crassus refused to reply until he arrived at Seleucia on the Tigris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

German officials refused to reply to repeated requests for comment on the lawsuit.

The New York Times

In fairness, it refuses to reply: "No valid reason was cast!" Some questions defy even this all-seeing oracle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the officer refuses to reply, the filmmaker appeals to a superior officer who eventually pulls the tape from the officer's uniform.

The New York Times

When he refused to reply to the Rexist Deputy's question, declaring that he had visited Spain as a private citizen, the Rexist Deputies created an uproar which lasted a quarter of an hour.

The New York Times

He has refused to reply to the four cardinal critics but has indirectly attacked them for rigidity, legalism, psychological inadequacy and generallybehaving like the Pharisees who tried to trap Jesus with trick questions in the gospels.

The Guardian - Opinion

Throughout the day, Corby refused to reply to the questions thrown at her by the media throng and it emerged that not even the officials were able to see her face.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refuse to reply", consider the context and whether a more formal or informal alternative might be more appropriate. For example, in official communications, "decline to answer" might be preferable.

Common error

Be careful not to assume that someone who "refuses to reply" is implicitly agreeing with a statement. Silence does not always equal consent, and further clarification may be needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to reply" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a deliberate choice not to respond. Ludwig confirms its usability. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from legal proceedings to personal interactions, consistently conveying a lack of willingness to communicate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refuse to reply" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates a deliberate unwillingness to respond. Ludwig confirms its validity, showcasing its usage in various contexts such as news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries. While not exceptionally common, it effectively conveys a conscious decision to withhold information. Depending on the situation, more formal alternatives like "decline to answer" or informal options like "remain silent" might be more suitable. However, when clear, direct language is required to demonstrate a conscious refusal, "refuse to reply" proves to be a valuable tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to answer

Formal alternative that indicates a polite refusal to respond.

refrain from answering

A more formal way to express choosing not to provide an answer.

give no response

A straightforward statement of the absence of a reply.

remain silent

Indicates a complete lack of response, either verbally or in writing.

withhold a response

Highlights the act of deliberately keeping back an answer.

not provide feedback

Focuses on the lack of feedback or commentary being given.

abstain from commenting

Suggests a formal decision not to make a statement.

keep mum

An informal way of saying someone is keeping quiet and not divulging information.

stonewall the question

Implies evasiveness and an unwillingness to answer directly.

evade the question

Suggests avoiding a direct answer, possibly through clever wording or distraction.

FAQs

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

You can use "refuse to reply" to indicate someone's unwillingness to answer a question or acknowledge a statement. For example: "The suspect "refused to reply" to the detective's questions".

What are some alternatives to "refuse to reply"?

Alternatives include "decline to answer", "remain silent", or "withhold a response". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more polite to "decline to answer" or "refuse to reply"?

"Decline to answer" is generally considered more polite than "refuse to reply", as it suggests a more formal and respectful approach to not providing information. The latter can sometimes sound confrontational.

When is it appropriate to "refuse to reply"?

It is appropriate to "refuse to reply" when you have a legal right not to answer, when answering might incriminate you, or when you simply do not wish to engage in a conversation. However, consider the social implications of your silence.