Politely Saying No

Best Ways of 'Saying No' - Generator

The 'Saying No' generator is a tool that helps you with saying no firmly but kindly and not making any excuses you'll have to answer for later.

So challenge yourself to put yourself first. Learn to say no, and see how drastically your life changes.

Polite ways to reject someone

At work, saying "no" can help you take greater control of your career. Use these illustrations to decline requests from your boss and coworkers kindly.

Be direct in your response rather than using qualifiers like "maybe" or "I don't think so." Ensure the person asking you the question knows that when you say no, you mean it permanently. You should mean it when you say things like "maybe later" or "some other time." Otherwise, these ambiguous responses could lead the other person to ask you the same question again.

Different Ways To Say No

1. Unfortunately, it’s not a good time.
2. If only I could.
3. I wish there were two of me!
4. It’s not feasible for me to take this on.
5. Another time might work.
6. Circle back to me in a few weeks.
7. Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.
8. You’re so kind to think of me, but I can’t.
9. I won’t be able to
10. I wish I could make it work.
11. I’d rather not 
12. Not right now. 
13. I’ll need to bow out.
14. Not this time.
15. Sorry, I can’t
16. Maybe another time.
17. I wish I were able to.
18. I’m afraid I can’t.
19. Regrettably, I’m not able to.
20. I have something else. Sorry.
21. I really shouldn’t.
22. I’m really buckling down on my priorities right now, so I can’t.
23. No thanks, I won’t be able to make it.
24. Sounds great, but I can’t commit. 
25. I’m not taking on new things.
26. No thank you, but it sounds lovely.
27. I’d rather not.
28. I’m good.