refusing to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refusing to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a decision not to perform a specific action or task. Example: "She is refusing to do the extra work assigned to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Republicans are refusing to do that.

The New York Times

France is refusing to do as much.

The Economist

"But we're refusing to do that".

The New York Times - Sports

Arab states are refusing to do anything.

The New York Times

"It's not that he's refusing to do what you're asking".

The New York Times - Health

"They're refusing to do what they're required to do".

The New York Times

So far, they're refusing to do so, even in the face of a looming budget crisis.

The Economist

Basically, Germany is refusing to do for Spain what Spain did for Germany in the past.

The New York Times

She asked them why they were refusing to do something that was fundamentally in their interests.

The Economist

A hunger strike is about refusing to do something; running makes effort visible.

Independent

Scientists can't prevent modern war by refusing to do scientific work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refusing to do", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the refusal, adding clarity and preventing ambiguity.

Common error

While "refusing to do" is straightforward, overuse can make writing monotonous. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "declining" or "opting not to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refusing to do" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun or noun modifier within a sentence. It describes the act of declining or being unwilling to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Refusing to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed gerund phrase that expresses an unwillingness or decision not to perform a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile across various communication styles. For alternative phrasing, consider "declining to perform" or "opting not to do", but ensure the context aligns with the intended nuance. Avoid overuse of "refusing to do" to maintain writing dynamism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declining to perform

Emphasizes a polite or formal rejection of an action.

opting not to do

Highlights the choice not to engage in a particular activity.

abstaining from doing

Suggests a deliberate act of restraint from performing an action.

choosing not to act

Focuses on the decision to remain inactive or passive.

withholding action

Implies a temporary suspension or holding back from doing something.

desisting from action

Indicates a cessation or abandonment of a particular course of action.

evading the responsibility to act

Highlights the evasion aspect of not acting.

avoiding the undertaking

Focuses on sidestepping a specific task or commitment.

neglecting to undertake

Implies a failure to perform an action due to oversight or negligence.

hesitating to proceed

Highlights a reluctance or pause before taking action.

FAQs

How can I use "refusing to do" in a sentence?

You can use "refusing to do" to describe someone's unwillingness to perform an action, such as "The company is "refusing to do" business with the supplier."

What are some alternatives to "refusing to do"?

Alternatives include "declining to perform", "opting not to do", or "abstaining from doing", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "refusing to do"?

Yes, "refusing to do" is grammatically correct. The gerund "refusing" functions as a noun modifier, and "to do" specifies the action being refused.

What's the difference between "refusing to do" and "refuses to do"?

"Refusing to do" is a gerund phrase, often used as part of a larger sentence. "Refuses to do" is a verb phrase indicating a present action, for example: "He is "refusing to do" his homework" versus "He "refuses to do" his homework".