This document provides various polite ways to decline requests or say no to others. It offers phrases like "I appreciate the request but have other commitments" or "At this time I do not have the skills but may be able to recommend someone else." It also asks what other ways there are to say no and provides sources for learning how to set boundaries and decline additional work respectfully.

1. Saying no

2. No thank you.

3. I appreciate that you ask. I need to prioritize
other commitments, so I have to say no.

4. Thank you very much for the request. I appreciate it. At the
moment I have a lot on my plate. Due to limited time I
will not be able to do good work on the project you propose.

5. I do not feel comfortable doing that.
I have to decline.

6. I am sorry. I cannot do that for you.

7. I cannot do that. What I can do is




8. Currently, I am not able to help with that.

9. Thank you for thinking of me.
At that time I am not available. I’m sorry.

10. Thank you for the invitation.
I believe I do not have skills to do this well. I see two possibilities:
1. I can recommend another person, who may be able to help you.
2. If you accept that I need extra time to learn more about this, I will
be happy to try to help.

11. Thank you. I feel honoured that you think of me in this regard.
I need to know more. May I please ask you these 3 questions:
1.
2.
3.

12. A question for you: What are other ways of saying no?

13. Sources of inspiration
https://chat.openai.com/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/21_ways_to_give_good_no
https://hbr.org/2020/09/learn-when-to-say-no
https://hbr.org/2015/12/how-to-say-no-to-taking-on-more-work
https://psychcentral.com/lib/learning-to-say-no