would rather not divulge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would rather not divulge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a preference to keep information private or not share it. Example: "When asked about his personal life, he stated that he would rather not divulge any details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would rather not.

The New Yorker

But he would rather not.

The New York Times

Gately would rather not know.

The New Yorker

Their modern counterparts would rather not.

The Economist

So, we would rather not have that.

The New York Times

"I would rather not say my age".

WikiHow

We'd rather not.

The New York Times

She'd rather not know.

The New Yorker

"I'd rather not say," he replies.

The New York Times

I'd rather not do this, though.

The New York Times

And sometimes she'd rather not.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would rather not divulge" when you want to politely decline to share specific details or information without being confrontational. It suggests a personal preference for privacy.

Common error

Avoid using "would rather not divulge" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "I'd prefer not to say" or "I don't want to talk about it" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would rather not divulge" functions as a polite way to decline sharing information. It's a declarative statement expressing a preference to keep something private, as affirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would rather not divulge" is a polite and relatively formal way to decline sharing information. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and expresses a preference for privacy. While suitable for news, professional, and some formal contexts, it may be less appropriate in casual conversation. Alternatives like "prefer not to disclose" or "decline to comment" can be used depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prefer not to disclose

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a preference for keeping information private.

Choose not to reveal

This alternative highlights the active decision to withhold information.

Decline to comment

This alternative is often used in response to questions from the media or public.

Wish to remain silent on that matter

This is a more formal and emphatic way of refusing to discuss a topic.

Not at liberty to say

This suggests that the speaker is restricted from sharing information.

Rather keep that to myself

This expresses a personal preference for privacy.

Would prefer to keep it private

This emphasizes the desire for confidentiality.

I'm not going to discuss that

A more direct and assertive way of refusing to answer a question.

Let's not go there

This suggests avoiding a potentially sensitive or unpleasant topic.

I'd rather not get into that

Indicates a reluctance to discuss a specific subject, possibly due to complexity or sensitivity.

FAQs

What does "would rather not divulge" mean?

The phrase "would rather not divulge" means that someone prefers not to reveal or disclose certain information. It's a polite way of declining to share details.

When is it appropriate to use "would rather not divulge"?

It is appropriate to use "would rather not divulge" in situations where you want to politely decline to share information, especially when the topic is sensitive or private. It's suitable for formal or semi-formal settings.

What are some alternatives to "would rather not divulge"?

You can use alternatives like "prefer not to disclose", "choose not to reveal", or "decline to comment" depending on the context.

Is it rude to say "would rather not divulge"?

While generally polite, the perception of rudeness depends on context and tone. If delivered tactfully, "would rather not divulge" is an acceptable way to maintain privacy. Using a softer tone can further mitigate any potential offense.