refused to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refused to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone declines to proceed with an action or task, often due to disagreement or dissatisfaction. Example: "After the heated discussion, she refused to continue with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When they balked, she refused to continue.

The New York Times

In November 1982, he refused to continue taking the prescribed medications.

Cornell University

At one point, his mother apparently refused to continue supplying him.

The New Yorker

All design and construction ceased in 1833, when Clement refused to continue unless he was prepaid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Palestinians refused to continue negotiating after an Israeli moratorium on settlement construction expired.

The New York Times

After his father refused to continue his financial support, Swammerdam suffered extreme privations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But after a strong start, participants say, the Afghans refused to continue.

The New York Times

Arrests were made but no convictions could be obtained as she refused to continue cooperating.

Independent

(And even so, one of the four -- Miami-Dade -- refused to continue its count).

The New York Times - Books

Five patients prematurely terminated the study (one was lost to follow-up, two refused to continue and 2 for other reasons).

Neuromuscular Disorders

APS refused to continue disposing of the pungent waste unless its payment was increased.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refused to continue", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or activity is being discontinued. For example, "The witness refused to continue testifying."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the precise activity or task that someone "refused to continue". Instead of a vague statement, provide context: "The negotiator refused to continue the discussion without further concessions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refused to continue" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically as part of the predicate. It indicates a deliberate act of stopping or ceasing an activity, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refused to continue" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of stopping or ceasing an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While "declined to proceed" and "stopped participating" serve as alternatives, the key is to provide a clear indication of what is being discontinued. As highlighted by Ludwig, ensuring context and avoiding ambiguity are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would not go on

Simple and direct way of expressing a refusal to proceed.

declined to proceed

Formal alternative, emphasizing a polite or official unwillingness.

ended their participation

Simple and clear way to state that someone's involvement has stopped.

stopped participating

Focuses on the act of ceasing involvement in an activity.

halted their involvement

Emphasizes a deliberate and complete stop to participation.

ceased to cooperate

Highlights a lack of willingness to work together or comply.

terminated participation

Formal and definitive way of saying someone stopped taking part.

discontinued involvement

Implies a formal or planned cessation of participation.

refrained from further action

Highlights the act of holding back from continuing an activity.

abandoned the effort

Suggests a complete relinquishment of a task or endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "refused to continue" in a sentence?

You can use "refused to continue" to indicate someone's unwillingness to proceed with an action. For example, "The witness "refused to continue" testifying after repeated questioning."

What are some alternatives to "refused to continue"?

Some alternatives include "declined to proceed", "stopped participating", or "would not go on", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "refused continuing" instead of "refused to continue"?

While "refused" can sometimes be followed by a gerund, "refused to continue" is generally the preferred and more grammatically correct construction when indicating a refusal to proceed with an action. It's more common and widely accepted.

What's the difference between "refused to continue" and "declined to start"?

"Refused to continue" implies that an action was already in progress, but someone decided to stop. "Declined to start" means that someone refused to begin an action in the first place. They are not interchangeable.