SpeakUp

Grammar fix

opt out

choose not to take part (in something)

to decide not to participate in something, or to remove yourself from an activity, group, or system that you could be part of

phrasal verbC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • You can opt out of the company's pension scheme if you prefer to manage your own savings.daily life
  • Some people believe that individuals should have the right to opt out of certain government programmes if they disagree with them.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: opt out (of something)

WrongYou can opt out the pension scheme.

RightYou can opt out of the pension scheme.

'Opt OUT OF' something — don't drop 'of'.

Patternopt out (of something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Participants may decline to participate in the scheme.

Natural You can opt out of the scheme anytime.

'Opt out' is the natural verb for choosing not to take part; 'decline to participate' is formal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • opt out + of
    of the schemeof cookiesof the tripentirely

Don't confuse it

This sense is different from simply 'not joining' (never being involved); 'opt out' means you actively choose not to take part in something you could be included in or were expected to join.

Try it in Daily Speak →