but she declined to do so. vs but she refused the idea

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'But she declined to do so' implies that she politely refused to do something, while 'but she refused the idea' suggests a more direct rejection of a specific idea or proposal. The choice between the two depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 604 views

but she declined to do so.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone politely refused to do something that was suggested or offered.

Examples:

He offered her a ride, but she declined to do so.
She was invited to speak at the event, but she declined to do so.

Show examples from the web [+]

Supervisor Russell offered Colleen protection, but she declined.
Terry asked Sheila to be his best man, but she declined.
They offered to send a CSI tech to print the place, but she declined.
The GOC was invited to give further information and to enter into consultations regarding these grants, but declined to do so.
The GOC was invited to provide more information on these tax schemes in the request for further consultations but declined to do so.
The debt did not mount, but declined.
I tried to get ahold of him while he was inside, but he declined to respond.
Ms Juke was asked to participate in an examination at the time, but declined.
In some Member States, spending on lifelong learning and active labour market measures has actually declined over the last five years - not improved but declined.
Year-on-year growth increased to 8.9% in May 2000, but then declined.
I'm sorry, Ms. Ellis, but Mrs. Grayson declined.
They were invited, but they declined.
I offered you a way out, but you declined.
I gave the dome a chance to return her to me, but it declined.
It's always our practice to run it through again, but they declined.
I tried to put the restaurant deposit on your credit card but it was declined.
Wanted to be a Marine, but he got declined.
We invited a representative from Sadler-Benelux, the makers of Ablixa, to come here this morning and discuss this very tragic story, but they declined.
I asked your partner, but he declined the invite.
Sorry, but the card was declined.

Alternatives:

but she refused.
but she turned down the offer.

but she refused the idea

This phrase is correct but less common in everyday usage.

This phrase is used to indicate a direct rejection of a specific idea or proposal.

Examples:

He suggested a new marketing strategy, but she refused the idea.
The team proposed a different approach, but she refused the idea.

Show examples from the web [+]

She refused the chance of an appeal.
She refused the military's help.
I offered to teach her, but she refused.
And she said yes, but she refused to smile.
But she... she refused to meet Albert.
But she refused to look at me.
But she refused to take any money without doing any work, so...
We tried speaking to her, but she refused.
I tried to flip her on Eduardo, but she refused.
When she refused the treatment, Erica knew - I mean, we knew that the symptoms could increase rapidly.
We tried to move her to hospital a few weeks ago but she refused to get in the ambulance.
A couple times I told her it was me, but she refused to believe me.
They wanted to bring her here, but she refused to leave Mohei's side.
I tried to talk to the defendant, but she refused to speak.
He could have other affairs, but she refused... rejecting all offers.
Charlotte was very good at writing lists, but she refused to write any poems.
I told her to get rid of it, but she refused.
She admitted taking it, but she refused to say why.
At 10:03 p.m., a woman made a 911 call from a pay phone down the block, but she refused to leave her name.
According to Garcia, the census counter out there encountered an Appalachian woman living in a cabin, but she refused to give any information.

Alternatives:

but she rejected the idea.
but she dismissed the idea.

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but she declined to do so. vs but she refused the idea