I restrained myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I restrained myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where you held back your emotions or impulses, often in a context of self-control. Example: "Even though I was furious, I restrained myself and chose to remain calm during the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I restrained myself.

The New Yorker

But I restrained myself.

The New York Times - Style

Of course, I restrained myself, the press preferring high seriousness.

The New Yorker

But all that blood!, I restrained myself from sputtering as they passed.

The Guardian - Film

I restrained myself, but with hindsight I would have had no shame at suffering thelegal consequences.

The New York Times

I restrained myself for an obligatory minute or two before approaching.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I restrain myself.

The New Yorker

Why did I restrain myself?

The New Yorker

I restrain myself from telling Claire this.

The Guardian - Books

Mostly I restrain myself from talking about it.

The Guardian

(I restrain myself greatly). I don't know that anyone but her inner circle knows who Nicki Minaj really is.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I restrained myself" to clearly indicate a conscious decision to hold back an impulse or action. It conveys a sense of self-control and awareness.

Common error

While "I restrained myself" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "I held back" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I restrained myself" functions as a declarative statement describing a past action of self-control. It indicates that the speaker consciously chose to inhibit an impulse or action. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various narrative and reflective contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I restrained myself" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe a conscious act of self-control. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in various contexts, especially news and media, where it conveys a sense of awareness and intentionality. While simpler alternatives like "I held back" exist, "I restrained myself" offers a more precise and descriptive way to indicate the effort involved in inhibiting an impulse or action. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and consider whether a more casual alternative might be more suitable for informal conversations. However, in descriptive writing and formal narratives, "I restrained myself" provides a clear and impactful way to convey a moment of deliberate self-control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I held back

This alternative is a more general way of saying you prevented yourself from doing something.

I controlled myself

This alternative emphasizes the self-control aspect of the action.

I exercised self-control

This alternative is a more formal way to express self-control.

I refrained from

This alternative emphasizes abstaining from an action.

I stopped myself

This alternative focuses on the act of preventing oneself from proceeding.

I checked myself

This alternative suggests a quick act of stopping oneself.

I suppressed the urge

This alternative highlights the internal struggle and suppression of a desire.

I resisted the temptation

This alternative specifically refers to resisting something enticing.

I bit my tongue

This alternative idiomatically means that someone avoids saying something, even though they want to.

I kept my cool

This alternative focuses on remaining calm and composed in a difficult situation.

FAQs

What does "I restrained myself" mean?

The phrase "I restrained myself" means that you consciously held back from doing or saying something, often due to a desire to maintain control or avoid negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "I restrained myself"?

You can use alternatives like "I held back", "I controlled myself", or "I refrained from" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I restrained myself" or "I controlled myself"?

Both phrases are correct, but "I controlled myself" emphasizes self-control, while "I restrained myself" highlights the act of holding back from a specific action or impulse. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "I restrained myself" in a sentence?

You can use "I restrained myself" to describe a situation where you deliberately avoided doing or saying something. For example: "I wanted to argue, but "I restrained myself" and remained silent."