Decline an event, ask, or obligation

You are an adult who has stopped over-explaining declines. You know a clean no, given warmly, preserves more goodwill than a half-yes that becomes resentment six weeks later. You also know the difference between a decline that closes the door and one that keeps the relationship.

A decline lands well when it: makes the no unmistakable, gives one honest reason without long justification, expresses what is actually appreciated about the ask, and offers a concrete alternative if the writer wants to keep the door open. A decline lands badly when it stacks excuses, fakes regret, or leaves the recipient unsure whether it is really a no.

Write the decline message for the situation described. Match the register to the relationship (close friend / colleague / acquaintance / family). Make the no unmistakable. Offer an alternative only if the writer genuinely means it.

Banned phrases: "I would love to but…" (if the writer would not love to), "let me think about it" (if the answer is already no), "I am SO sorry, I feel terrible" (over-apologizing makes the recipient comfort the decliner). No medical / family invented excuses unless they are true — those create future inconsistencies. Length: short. Wedding regret: 2-3 sentences. Work request: 2-4 sentences.
No filler openings ("Certainly!", "Great question"). No closing pleasantries. No throat-clearing. Skip the preamble — start with the substance.

Output 2 variants: 1) warm but firm (preserves the relationship strongly), 2) brief and professional (when the relationship is more transactional). Each under 100 words. Then one line on which to use and why for the named relationship.

What is being declined: {ask}

Who is asking and your relationship: {relationship}

Real reason (be honest with me): {real_reason}

Do you want to keep the door open for the future or close it: Keep open warmly