refusing to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refusing to respond" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe that a person is declining to reply or offer an answer to something. For example, "When asked about his decision, the senator remained silent, refusing to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Missing cases (non-response) varies from 13%to20%.1010 The non-response could be due to respondents not having enough information to respond to the statements, refusing to respond to specific statements, or simply deciding not to respond to the statements; it may also be due to the sensitive nature of the statement.

Comparative Migration Studies

Houthi leaders were refusing to respond to the latest developments.

The Guardian

Moreover, Americans are increasingly refusing to respond to government surveys.

The New York Times

They went on strike, refusing to respond to all nonemergency calls.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These three decades of refusing to respond have wasted crucial time.

The Guardian - Opinion

For decades she went silent, refusing to respond to any interest in her work.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

They refused to respond to my questions.

The New York Times

He refused to respond to questions.

The New York Times

Twenty-six organizations, or 4.6percentt, refused to respond.

The New York Times

Tells how she refused to respond to questions.

The New Yorker

The university has refused to respond to students' concerns.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refusing to respond", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being refused. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "refusing to respond" when a response is simply delayed or not yet possible. Refusal implies a deliberate choice to not answer, not merely an inability or delay in answering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refusing to respond" functions as a gerund phrase that often acts as a noun or part of a verb phrase. It typically describes an action that is being intentionally avoided or rejected. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refusing to respond" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes a deliberate decision not to answer or react. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, but it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. The phrase implies an intentional act of remaining silent or unreactive, often indicating resistance or strategic avoidance. When using this phrase, it's best practice to ensure the context clearly identifies what is being refused to maintain clarity. Related phrases include "declining to answer", "remaining silent", and "not answering".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not answering

A more straightforward and neutral way of saying someone isn't responding.

declining to answer

Emphasizes a polite refusal to provide information.

opting not to reply

Highlights the choice to not provide a response.

remaining silent

Focuses on the act of staying quiet, without necessarily implying a request was made.

withholding a response

Indicates a conscious decision to keep information back.

evading the question

Suggests an attempt to avoid a direct answer.

ignoring the inquiry

Implies a deliberate disregard for a question or request.

not acknowledging

Focuses on the lack of recognition or acknowledgement of a statement or question.

stonewalling

Suggests a deliberate act of obstruction by refusing to cooperate or answer questions.

keeping mum

An informal way of saying someone is keeping silent.

FAQs

What does "refusing to respond" mean?

It means deliberately choosing not to answer or react to a question, request, or situation.

How to use "refusing to respond" in a sentence?

Example: "The suspect was "remaining silent", refusing to respond to the detectives' questions." Consider alternatives such as "declining to answer" or "not answering" for different nuances.

What are some synonyms for "refusing to respond"?

Synonyms include "declining to answer", "remaining silent", and "not answering". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "refusing to respond" and "evading the question"?

"Refusing to respond" is a direct choice not to answer, while "evading the question" implies avoiding a direct answer, possibly through indirect or irrelevant statements.