withhold consent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "withhold consent" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to refuse or deny permission or agreement to something. Example: The new policy requires all employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement, but I have decided to withhold my consent until I fully understand the terms and conditions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"The landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent to the sublet," Ms. Hallenborg said.

The New York Times

However, she added, there are two reasons the landlord could withhold consent to the sublet contemplated by the letter writer.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, SNP ministers submitted a legislative consent memorandum asking the Scottish parliament to withhold consent from the UK government bill.

The Guardian

For example, boards can't unreasonably withhold consent to requests by shareholders to make improvements to their apartments or to transfer an apartment to a family member.

The New York Times

A customer may withhold consent on sharing such information with a third party, but not with an affiliate, Mr. Rampe said.

The New York Times

Given the strength of public hostility to the radar, how possible is it that the Czech Republic may withhold consent for the US plans?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The constitutional implications of Scottish politicians withholding consent are only now being explored.

The Guardian

But the members were unable to cite examples where the Queen or Prince Charles withheld consent.

The Guardian

It is not clear that a legislative consent motion would be triggered by Brexit, but withholding consent is not the same as having the power to block.

The Guardian

He withheld consent until three days before the episode aired, when Chase agreed to tell him (three-year-old spoiler alert!) that the ending was ambiguous.

The Guardian - Music

When the committee was in Democratic hands, Mr. Bush's nominees were sometimes blocked if a senator withheld consent by delivering a negative blue slip.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, use "withhold consent" to emphasize a patient's right to refuse treatment or participation in research, underscoring patient autonomy.

Common error

Avoid using "withhold consent" when the situation involves a lack of understanding or awareness, rather than an explicit refusal. In such cases, clarify whether consent was ever properly requested or if the individual was capable of providing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "withhold consent" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of refusing to give permission or approval. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, including legal, medical, and political scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "withhold consent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the act of refusing permission or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples illustrating its use across diverse contexts, from legal and medical to political. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional, academic, and news-related writing. Alternatives such as "refuse to consent" or "deny permission" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. It's important to use the phrase accurately, ensuring it reflects an explicit refusal rather than a lack of understanding or awareness. The phrase is very common, with frequent use in sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to consent

Replaces "withhold" with "refuse", emphasizing the active denial of consent.

withdraw assent

Replaces "consent" with "assent", suggesting a formal withdrawal of agreement.

deny permission

Substitutes "consent" with "permission", focusing on the act of denying.

not give authorization

Expresses the act of denying by stating that authorization is not given.

decline to approve

Uses "decline" and "approve" to convey a formal rejection of consent.

oppose approval

Highlights the opposition to something being approved, implying the withholding of consent.

reject authorization

Employs "reject" and "authorization" to indicate a strong refusal of consent.

disallow permission

Uses "disallow" to explicitly forbid or deny permission.

rescind agreement

Implies a previous agreement is now being taken back, thus consent is withdrawn.

veto approval

Implies a formal rejection, similar to a political veto, indicating a strong withholding of consent.

FAQs

How is "withhold consent" used in a sentence?

You can use "withhold consent" to describe the act of refusing permission or agreement. For example: "The patient decided to "withhold consent" for the experimental treatment."

What's the difference between "withdraw consent" and "withhold consent"?

"Withhold consent" typically implies a decision not to grant consent initially, while "withdraw consent" suggests that consent was previously given but is now being revoked.

What are some alternatives to saying "withhold consent"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "refuse to consent", "decline to approve", or "deny permission", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "withhold consent"?

"Withhold consent" is appropriate in situations where someone has the right to grant or deny permission, such as in medical treatment, legal agreements, or research participation. It's crucial when emphasizing the autonomy of the individual.