refusing to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refusing to answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is not providing a response to a question or inquiry. Example: "During the interrogation, the suspect was refusing to answer any of the questions posed by the detectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And I'm refusing to answer," she repeats.

The Guardian

And then refusing to answer them.

The Guardian - Film

More voters are refusing to answer pollsters' questions.

The Economist

Refusing to answer questions is standard practice for Scott Morrison.

The Guardian

It is refusing to answer questions or supply further information.

The Guardian - Arts

Do you understand?" She looked down, refusing to answer.

The New Yorker

Butt left the court refusing to answer questions.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Duncan pleaded the fifth amendment, refusing to answer questions for fear of incriminating himself.

The Economist

Refusing to answer questions about the details of your policies isn't change.

The New York Times

Each witness cited the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in refusing to answer.

The New York Times

At the White House's request, Mr. Ridge is refusing to answer Congressional questions in public.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or political situations, consider if "pleading the Fifth" is a more accurate and specific alternative to "refusing to answer".

Common error

Be careful not to imply that "refusing to answer" is automatically an admission of guilt. While it can raise suspicion, it doesn't constitute proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refusing to answer" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the action of declining to provide a response. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "Refusing to answer questions is standard practice for Scott Morrison."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refusing to answer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that functions as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Its primary purpose is to describe the action of deliberately withholding information in a variety of contexts, most commonly in News & Media. While a neutral term, it's crucial to avoid implying that refusing to answer automatically equates to guilt or admission. Consider context-specific alternatives like "pleading the Fifth" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not responding

A simple, direct way of stating that no answer is given.

giving no response

Emphasizes the absence of an answer, highlighting the lack of communication.

declining to respond

Formal alternative, emphasizing the act of politely rejecting to give an answer.

remaining silent

Focuses on the act of staying quiet, broader than just refusing to answer a question.

evading the question

Suggests an attempt to avoid answering directly, often through indirect responses.

withholding information

Suggests a conscious decision to keep information secret, including refusing to answer.

stonewalling

Implies a deliberate obstruction of communication, including refusing to answer.

pleading the fifth

Specifically refers to invoking the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

keeping mum

Informal phrase indicating silence or refusal to speak about something.

clamming up

Informal way to say someone suddenly stops talking or answering questions.

FAQs

What does it mean to "refuse to answer" a question?

To "refuse to answer" a question means to decline to provide a response, either verbally or in writing. This can be due to various reasons, such as not knowing the answer, not wanting to reveal information, or exercising a legal right like "pleading the Fifth".

When is it appropriate to use "refusing to answer" in a sentence?

You can use "refusing to answer" in any context where someone is declining to provide information in response to a question. This could be in news reports, legal documents, fictional stories, or everyday conversations.

What are some alternatives to "refusing to answer"?

Some alternatives to "refusing to answer" include "declining to respond", "remaining silent", "evading the question", or simply "not responding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "refusing to answer" the same as "pleading the Fifth"?

"Refusing to answer" is a general term for declining to provide information. "Pleading the Fifth", on the other hand, is a specific legal term that refers to invoking the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects individuals from being forced to incriminate themselves.