we refuse to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we refuse to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong unwillingness or rejection of a request, proposal, or situation. Example: "In light of the recent developments, we refuse to accept any further changes to the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We refuse to disappear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, we refuse to hear it.

The New Yorker

We refuse to accept it".

The Guardian - Music

We refuse to accept that.

The Guardian

Clearly, we refuse to learn this lesson.

The Guardian - Opinion

We refuse to live in fear.

The Guardian

And don't we refuse to honor them?

The New York Times

We refuse to support it uncritically.

The Guardian

Do we refuse to read them therefore?

The Guardian - Books

We refuse to do anything we're told.

The Guardian

"We refuse to be outsiders in our OWN institutions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we refuse to" to express a strong stance against something, particularly when representing a group or organization. This conveys determination and conviction.

Common error

Avoid using "we refuse to" in casual conversation where a simpler refusal would suffice. Overusing it can sound overly dramatic or confrontational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we refuse to" functions as a declarative expression of unwillingness or denial. It sets a firm boundary or position, indicating a clear decision not to engage in a particular action or accept a specific condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a proper and valid expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we refuse to" is a commonly used phrase to express a firm and often collective decision not to do something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required by the situation and choose appropriate alternatives like "we decline to" for more formal settings, or "we will not" for more direct assertions. Overusing the phrase, particularly in informal settings, can make your communication sound overly dramatic. The phrase finds its use across various fields including science and news with the latter representing the majority of its use cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we decline to

Formal alternative; emphasizes a polite but firm rejection.

we will not

Direct and emphatic refusal or denial of something.

we reject the idea of

Specifically targets the rejection of an idea or concept.

we are unwilling to

Highlights a lack of willingness or enthusiasm.

we won't

Informal contraction of "we will not", conveying a firm refusal.

we are not prepared to

Indicates a lack of readiness to undertake something.

we object to

Expresses opposition or disapproval to something.

we are against

Expresses opposition to something.

we disapprove of

Expresses disagreement to something.

we intend not to

Indicates a deliberate decision against a particular action.

FAQs

How can I use "we refuse to" in a sentence?

Use "we refuse to" to express a firm decision against doing something. For example, "We refuse to compromise our values" shows a strong commitment.

What are some alternatives to "we refuse to"?

You can use alternatives like "we decline to", "we will not", or "we are unwilling to" depending on the level of formality required.

Is "we refuse to" formal or informal?

"We refuse to" is generally considered neutral to formal. While usable in many contexts, consider your audience. Alternatives like "we decline to" might be more appropriate for highly formal settings.

What is the difference between "we refuse to" and "we refused to"?

"We refuse to" indicates a present decision or ongoing stance. "We refused to" indicates a past decision. For example, "We refuse to negotiate" (present) versus "We refused to negotiate last year" (past).