would not discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would not discuss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a refusal or unwillingness to engage in a conversation about a particular topic. Example: "Despite numerous inquiries, the spokesperson would not discuss the details of the ongoing investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would not discuss details.

The New York Times - Arts

Johnson would not discuss specifics.

The New York Times - Sports

He would not discuss the financial terms.

The New York Times

She would not discuss individual cases.

The New York Times

He would not discuss the transaction.

The New York Times

Ms. Wolf would not discuss her fees.

The New York Times

Rodriguez would not discuss the details.

The New York Times - Sports

He would not discuss the terms.

The New York Times

Immigration officials would not discuss their investigation.

The New York Times

CBID would not discuss its ownership structure.

The New York Times

The Pentagon would not discuss the investigation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "would not discuss" with a brief explanation when possible, as it helps the reader understand the context of the refusal. For example: "The CEO would not discuss ongoing negotiations, citing confidentiality agreements."

Common error

Avoid constructing overly passive sentences when using "would not discuss". Instead of "Details would not be discussed by the spokesperson", opt for "The spokesperson would not discuss the details" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not discuss" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a refusal or unwillingness to provide information on a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and commonly used expression in English. Examples in Ludwig show it used by official and authoritative sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would not discuss" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression indicating a refusal to provide information on a specific topic. Ludwig AI highlights its validity and common usage. It is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, where objectivity and neutrality are important. While alternatives like "declined to comment" or "refused to elaborate" exist, "would not discuss" offers a straightforward and unbiased way to convey a lack of information sharing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined to comment

Formal alternative, often used in journalistic contexts.

refused to elaborate

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to provide further details.

remained silent on

Highlights the lack of any statement or information.

did not disclose

Focuses on the act of keeping information private.

offered no details

Stresses the absence of specific information being shared.

would not reveal

Highlights the choice to keep something secret.

chose not to address

Indicates a conscious decision to avoid a topic.

was unwilling to say

Emphasizes a lack of willingness to speak about something.

kept mum about

Informal way of saying someone remained silent.

stonewalled inquiries

Suggests an active attempt to block or avoid questions.

FAQs

What does "would not discuss" mean?

The phrase "would not discuss" means that someone declined to provide information or comment on a particular topic. It indicates a refusal to engage in a conversation or share details about something.

What are some alternatives to "would not discuss"?

You can use alternatives like "declined to comment", "refused to elaborate", or "remained silent on" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "would not discuss" in formal writing?

Yes, "would not discuss" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in journalistic or professional contexts. It maintains a neutral tone while conveying a lack of information sharing. However, alternatives like "declined to comment" might be preferred for added formality.

How can I use "would not discuss" in a sentence?

You can use "would not discuss" like this: "The company spokesperson "would not discuss" the details of the ongoing investigation." or "When asked about the allegations, the senator "would not discuss" the matter".