opt out

choose not to take part in something

B2

What does "opt out" mean?

To opt out means to make a deliberate choice not to take part in something, usually a system, scheme, or programme that you were expected to join or were automatically enrolled in. It often describes a formal decision — for example, choosing not to share your data with a company, or deciding not to join a pension scheme at work. The key idea is that opting out is an active, conscious decision, and it is usually a permitted option rather than something that causes problems. Unlike abandoning something you have already started, opting out can happen before you are fully involved, and it carries no negative judgement — it simply means you have chosen not to participate. The phrase is especially common in legal, administrative, and digital contexts, such as privacy policies and consent forms.

Examples

How to use it

opt out (without object)

Used when the context already makes clear what is being declined, so there is no need to name it explicitly.

The programme is automatic, but employees are free to opt out.

opt out of + noun

The most common full pattern — 'of' is added to specify the system, scheme, or arrangement being declined.

She decided to opt out of the workplace pension scheme.

opt out of + gerund (-ing)

Used when the thing being declined is described as an activity rather than a named scheme.

Users can opt out of receiving promotional messages at any time.

opt out of it / them

When referring back to something already mentioned, a pronoun naturally follows 'of'.

The data sharing agreement was optional, so most participants opted out of it.

can / be able to + opt out (of)

Frequently used with modal verbs to describe a right or available choice.

You can opt out of the trial at any point without giving a reason.

Common Collocations

opt out of a pension schemeopt out of receiving emailsopt out of the systemopt out of a programme/programopt out of data collectionopt out of organ donation

Common Mistakes

Using a bare infinitive after 'opt out of'

'Opt out of' must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), never a bare infinitive. This is the most common error learners make with this phrasal verb.

✗ You can opt out of receive marketing emails.
✓ You can opt out of receiving marketing emails.
Confusing 'opt out' with 'opt in'

'Opt in' and 'opt out' are opposites — 'opt in' means choosing to participate, while 'opt out' means choosing not to. These often appear together in privacy and consent settings, so it's easy to mix them up.

✗ I opted out of the newsletter by signing up on their website.
✓ I opted in to the newsletter by signing up on their website.
Trying to use 'opt out' in the passive

Because 'opt out' is intransitive, it cannot be made passive. If you need a passive-style construction, use the noun form 'opt-out' instead.

✗ The pension scheme was opted out by many employees.
✓ Many employees opted out of the pension scheme. / An opt-out option was included in the agreement.

Usage

Opt out is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English, but it is especially common in formal or legal contexts such as privacy policies, contracts, and medical consent. The related noun 'opt-out' (hyphenated) is also widely used as a modifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I say 'I am opting out' or is the present continuous wrong?

It sounds unnatural in most situations. Opting out is typically a one-time decision rather than an ongoing action, so the present simple works much better — for example, 'I opt out' or 'I want to opt out'. The present continuous is not technically incorrect, but native speakers rarely use it with this phrasal verb.

What is the difference between 'opt out' and 'drop out'?

'Drop out' usually means leaving something you have already started, and it can suggest a negative outcome — for example, dropping out of university. 'Opt out' is more neutral and formal; it often happens before deep involvement begins and is typically a permitted, even expected, option within a system.

Is 'opt-out' (with a hyphen) a different word?

It is the noun and adjective form of the same idea. 'Opt out' (two words, no hyphen) is the verb — for example, 'you can opt out'. 'Opt-out' (hyphenated) is used as a noun or modifier — for example, 'an opt-out clause' or 'the opt-out deadline'. Both forms are very common in formal and legal contexts.

What kinds of things do people typically 'opt out of'?

The most common collocations involve formal systems or arrangements: pension schemes, data collection programmes, email lists, medical trials, organ donation registers, and contractual agreements. It tends to describe institutional or official contexts rather than informal social situations.

Does 'opt out' have a specific meaning in British English?

Yes, in British English it has a particular historical use referring to schools or hospitals that chose to withdraw from local authority control — for example, 'opting out' of the local education authority. Outside this context, it is used in the same way as in American English.

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