we declined to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we declined to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a refusal or decision not to accept or agree to something. Example: "After careful consideration, we declined to participate in the event this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Otherwise we declined to use the survey results.

The Guardian

We declined to publish accounts that either did not seem credible or could not be verified.

The New York Times

The band we declined to open for was called Alice in Chains.

The New Yorker

So we declined to hand over the film even when there was a threat of subpoena.

The Guardian

"As a result, we declined to move forward with today's interview".

The New Yorker

We slept on the street, and they didn't help when we declined to break up at their insistence".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We decline to comment".

The New York Times

We decline to adopt such a rule now.

The New York Times

So we decline to discuss those specific issues".

The New York Times - Sports

"We decline to discuss the issue," he said.

The New York Times

A spokesman for the US state department said: "We decline to comment on any cable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we declined to" when you want to clearly and directly state that a decision was made not to pursue a particular option. It's suitable for professional and formal communication.

Common error

Avoid using "we declined to" in casual conversations. Opt for more informal alternatives like "we passed on it" or "we said no" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we declined to" functions as a declarative statement indicating a deliberate refusal or decision to not undertake a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. Examples in Ludwig illustrate various contexts, such as refusing an interview or not signing an agreement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we declined to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing a decision to refuse or not participate in something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the analysis shows it's frequently found in News & Media, and also in Science and Formal & Business settings. When choosing alternatives, consider the context and desired level of formality, as there are multiple alternatives, such as "we refused to" or "we chose not to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we refused to

Direct synonym, emphasizing a firm and explicit refusal.

we chose not to

Indicates a deliberate decision against a particular action.

we turned down

Indicates a rejection of an offer or proposal.

we opted out of

Suggests a decision not to participate in something that others might be doing.

we rejected

Formal term that indicates something was refused.

we refrained from

Implies a conscious effort to abstain from a certain action.

we did not accept

A formal way of expressing non-acceptance.

we passed on

Informal way of saying that an opportunity or offer was not accepted.

we were not inclined to

Suggests a lack of willingness or enthusiasm towards a particular action.

we begged to differ

Polite but firm expression of disagreement and refusal.

FAQs

What does "we declined to" mean?

The phrase "we declined to" means that a group or organization has refused to do something or has chosen not to take a particular course of action.

What can I say instead of "we declined to"?

You can use alternatives like "we refused to", "we chose not to", or "we opted out of" depending on the context.

Is "we declined to" formal or informal?

"We declined to" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "we said no" or "we passed on it".

How to use "we declined to" in a sentence?

You can use "we declined to" to explain a decision not to do something, like "We declined to participate in the negotiations due to unresolved issues".