Opt out means choose not to take part: in emails, a programme, a trip. You can opt out of reminder emails in your account settings. It's often about something you were included in by default: everyone takes part unless they opt out. The noun has a hyphen: an opt-out option.
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opt out; opt out of something / doing something
- You can opt out of reminder emails in your account settings.
- Two volunteers opted out of the weekend trip.
- Participation is optional, so anyone can opt out.
What changed
First versionI opted out from receiving the weekly survey.
RevisionI opted out of receiving the weekly survey.
Withdraw from and unsubscribe from make from feel natural: opted out from receiving. But opt out goes with of: opted out of receiving the survey. After of, the verb takes -ing.
Opt in is the opposite: choose to take part. Unsubscribe is specifically about stopping emails or a channel. Drop out means quit something you've started: drop out of a course. Opt out means decline, often before it even begins: two volunteers opted out of the trip.
Your turn
Members can opt out ___ appearing in the public directory.
Show the answer
of — Opt out goes with of: opt out of appearing. From is a common slip because of withdraw from, but it doesn't fit here.
Describe an email list, survey or group activity you decided to opt out of, and why.
I opted out of the photo session because I prefer not to appear on the website.
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