I refrained from attending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I refrained from attending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you chose not to go to an event or gathering, often for personal reasons. Example: "Despite the invitation, I refrained from attending the party due to prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brown had refrained from attending most regents' meetings; Reagan made a point of attending and often held press conferences that turned the meetings into media spectacles.

University of California, Berkeley

However, Brahimi and officials traveling with the government delegation said the top members had refrained from attending Saturday's sessions only because the head of the opposition's delegation, Ahmad al-Jarba, also did not attend.

The Washington Post

This year, to add further insult, most Western leaders have refrained from attending the celebration, a decision that many Russians will see as confirmation of their continued struggle against the West.

The Economist

In later years, Levitt, always fiercely defensive of her private life, refrained from attending launches of her work or giving interviews about it - although she did emerge to speak to the New York Times in 2002, and seemed as curious as ever about the world outside.

The Guardian - Arts

Teller himself refrained from attending the test he claimed not to feel welcome at the Pacific Proving Grounds and instead saw its results on a seismograph in the basement of a hall in Berkeley.

Wikipedia

A provision of the prevailing election law provided that anyone elected, even improperly, could not be challenged after twelve months, so on legal advice Cobden refrained from attending council or committee meetings until February 1890.

Wikipedia

And finally to Qatar, which has the closest relations with Mr Ahmadinejad, having repeatedly invited him to the Doha Arab and Gulf summits that it has hosted over the past few years -- much to the chagrin of some other GCC states, especially Saudi Arabia, whose monarch refrained from attending a recent summit to which Mr Ahmedinejad was invited.

Huffington Post

It seems that, in particular, frail older people refrained from attending the group programme.

BMC Health Services Research

I chose to minimize my involvement with unnecessary activities and refrain from attending many high-profile functions.

Forbes

He even refrains from attending scientific conferences, preferring to stay out of the limelight and in his laboratory.

The Guardian

Orr went on to apologize to "Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith, and the Texas Tech Men's basketball program," and agreed to refrain from attending any more Texas Tech games this season.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I refrained from attending", ensure the reason for not attending is clear from the context, either explicitly stated or implicitly understood. It often suggests a conscious decision based on specific reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "I refrained from attending" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "I didn't go" or "I skipped it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I refrained from attending" serves as a statement of deliberate avoidance. It expresses a personal choice to not participate in or be present at a particular event or activity. As Ludwig suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I refrained from attending" is a grammatically correct and generally formal way to express a conscious decision not to attend an event. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates its usage across news, academic, and professional contexts. While semantically similar alternatives like "I chose not to attend" exist, "I refrained from attending" suggests a more deliberate and considered decision, which could be due to personal reasons or external pressures. Therefore, while suitable for formal writing, it might sound stilted in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I chose not to attend

Directly states the choice of non-attendance, less formal.

I opted out of attending

Emphasizes a conscious decision to not participate.

I decided against attending

Highlights the decision-making process leading to non-attendance.

I abstained from attending

More formal, suggests a deliberate withholding of participation.

I passed on attending

Informal, implies a casual rejection of the opportunity.

I begged off attending

Indicates declining with an excuse, often polite.

I stayed away from the event

Focuses on physical absence and avoidance.

I was absent from the gathering

Emphasizes the state of being not present.

I did not go to the event

Simple and direct statement of non-attendance.

I gave the event a miss

British English, informal way of saying not attending

FAQs

What does "I refrained from attending" mean?

The phrase "I refrained from attending" means that you consciously chose not to go to a particular event or gathering. It implies a deliberate decision to avoid being present.

What are some alternatives to "I refrained from attending"?

You can use alternatives like "I chose not to attend", "I opted out of "attending"", or "I decided against "attending" depending on the context.

Is "I refrained from attending" formal or informal?

The phrase "I refrained from attending" leans towards the more formal side. In casual settings, simpler phrases like "I didn't go" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "I refrained from attending" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase in a sentence like this: "Despite the invitation, "I refrained from attending" the conference due to prior commitments."