would not say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would not say" is appropriate for written English.
It is usually used when declining to share information or when creating a rhetorical question. For example, "She would not say what was on her mind - what was she thinking?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would not say more.

The New York Times

Mr Putin would not say.

The Economist

"I would not say weeks".

The New York Times

"I would not say O.K.

The New Yorker

"I would not say that".

The New York Times - Sports

I would not say I crossed over.

The New York Times

But he would not say no.

The New York Times - Magazine

Exactly how, he would not say.

The Economist

I would not say forever, though.

The New Yorker

She would not say which ones.

The New York Times

He would not say how much.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would not say" when you want to indicate that someone deliberately chose not to share specific information, whether due to privacy, strategy, or other reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "would not say" excessively in formal or academic writing. More precise alternatives like "declined to specify" or "refused to disclose" often provide a clearer and more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not say" functions as a verbal expression indicating a refusal or unwillingness to provide information. It is commonly used to report that someone declined to answer a question or reveal details. Ludwig confirms its appropriate use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would not say" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a refusal or reluctance to provide information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain academic or professional settings. When employing this phrase, remember that its primary function is to report a lack of disclosure, often highlighting the significance of the withheld information. Consider alternative phrases such as "declined to comment" or "refused to disclose" to vary your writing and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferred not to say

Suggests a personal preference against revealing information.

did not reveal

A straightforward way of saying information was kept secret.

declined to comment

More formal and concise; implies a deliberate choice not to provide information.

refused to disclose

Highlights a firm decision not to reveal something, often related to sensitive information.

wouldn't divulge

Similar to refuse to disclose, but can suggest reluctance.

remained silent

Emphasizes the lack of verbal response, suggesting a withholding of information.

chose not to specify

Implies a deliberate decision to avoid giving details.

was unwilling to share

Highlights the lack of willingness to provide information.

held back information

Indicates a conscious effort to not disclose certain details.

kept mum

Informal; indicates a decision to remain silent about something.

FAQs

How to use "would not say" in a sentence?

The phrase "would not say" is used to indicate that someone refused to reveal information. For example, "The suspect "would not say" where he was on the night of the crime".

What can I say instead of "would not say"?

You can use alternatives like "declined to comment", "refused to disclose", or "remained silent" depending on the context.

Is "would not say" formal or informal?

"Would not say" is generally considered neutral in formality. However, in very formal contexts, phrases like "declined to comment" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "would not say" and "did not mention"?

"Would not say" implies a deliberate refusal to provide information, while "did not mention" simply means that something was not brought up, without necessarily implying intent. For example, "He "would not say" why he was late" suggests he refused to answer, while "He "did not mention" being late" simply means he didn't bring it up.