I will refrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I will refrain from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a decision to avoid or abstain from doing something. Example: "I will refrain from commenting on the matter until I have more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I will refrain from telling you".

The New Yorker

"Until then, I will refrain from further public comment".

The New York Times

So I will refrain from endorsing that spot.

The New York Times

So I will refrain from quoting the text and quote the set instead.

The New York Times

I will refrain from reading any book reviews by Walter Kirn.

The New York Times

"This means I will refrain from eating food during this (conference) until a meaningful outcome is in sight".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

I tried a few things I'll refrain from mentioning.

The New York Times

I'll refrain from asking you how you spent your Christmas vacation.

The New York Times

Because of a plot twist I'll refrain from divulging, Charlie's triplets are African-American academic prodigies.

The New York Times

The contours of Hungarian history from 1939 to 1956, when Soviet tanks crushed an incipient revolution, is well known, but I'll refrain from revealing the particulars of the Sors-Sonnenschein family saga.

The New York Times

As a reminder of the flap caused years ago — when he got tagged with having said he "invented" the Internet, although he had not used that word and had, in fact, helped legislatively to create it — he smiled at Ms. Pelosi's comments and said, "I think I'll refrain from saying it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I will refrain from" when you want to express a deliberate and conscious decision to avoid doing something, especially in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I will refrain from" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "I won't" or "I'll avoid" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I will refrain from" functions as a declarative statement expressing a firm decision to avoid a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Examples from Ludwig highlight its application in various contexts, from political commentary to artistic criticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I will refrain from" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a deliberate decision to avoid a particular action. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is commonly used in news and media, often in formal contexts where a degree of professionalism is expected. While the phrase is appropriate in numerous situations, it may be too formal for very casual conversations. Remember to use simpler alternatives like "I won't" or "I'll avoid" in informal settings. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively incorporate the phrase into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I will abstain from

Replaces "refrain" with "abstain", implying a more formal and deliberate decision to avoid something.

I will avoid

Uses "avoid", a simpler and more direct synonym for "refrain".

I plan to abstain from

Similar to "I will abstain from", but highlights the planned nature of the avoidance.

I will not

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the negative action rather than the act of refraining.

I intend to avoid

Emphasizes the intention to steer clear of something.

I will hold back from

Suggests a conscious effort to restrain oneself from doing something.

I am choosing not to

Emphasizes the active decision to not engage in a particular behavior.

I will resist the urge to

Highlights the internal struggle and effort to suppress a desire.

I decline to

Formally refuses to participate in a specific action.

I will pass on

Informally declines an opportunity or invitation.

FAQs

How can I use "I will refrain from" in a sentence?

You can use "I will refrain from" to express a deliberate decision to avoid doing something. For example: "I will refrain from commenting on the ongoing investigation".

What are some alternatives to "I will refrain from"?

You can use alternatives like "I will abstain from", "I will avoid", or "I will not" depending on the context.

Is "I will refrain to" grammatically correct?

No, "I will refrain to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "I will refrain from" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing).

What is the difference between "I will refrain from" and "I will abstain from"?

Both phrases express avoidance, but "I will abstain from" implies a more formal and often moral or ethical decision to avoid something, while "I will refrain from" is a more general term for avoiding an action.