Please refrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please refrain from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to politely ask someone to avoid doing something. Example: "Please refrain from using your phone during the meeting to ensure everyone can focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please refrain from calling or visiting.

The New York Times

Please refrain from using your cellphone inside this space.

The New York Times

Please refrain from eggs-treme arguments below the line.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Please refrain from dropping anybody's private information anywhere on anonymous's behalf," one poster wrote.

The New York Times

Please refrain from posting spoilers if you've seen beyond episode nine (Trou Normand).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Please refrain from chanting, singing, burning incense, audible prayers, whooping, hollering, rattles or drums".

The New York Times - Travel

"Please refrain from smoking during your shift, unless you are on an agreed break," urges the manual.

The Guardian - Sport

Please refrain from contacting the office of the supervisor/investigator.

TechCrunch

Please refrain from doing so in the future.

TechCrunch

"Please refrain from sending the same message or repeating the same post, as further violations of our Terms will result in your account being permanently disabled.

TechCrunch

Please refrain from calling me Boy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Please refrain from", be specific about the action you want someone to avoid to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings. For example, "Please refrain from using cell phones during the performance."

Common error

While "Please refrain from" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using a simpler phrase like "Please don't" or "Kindly avoid" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please refrain from" functions as an imperative expression, used to politely request or instruct someone to avoid a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a standard way to make a request.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Please refrain from" is a polite and formal way to ask someone to avoid doing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most common in news, wiki and business contexts, and while versatile, might sound overly formal in very informal settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "Please don't" when a less formal tone is desired. Remember to be specific about the action you wish to avoid to ensure clarity. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "Please refrain from" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Refrain from

A more concise, slightly less polite/friendly, and more direct option, removing "please" from the original phrase.

Kindly avoid

A slightly more formal way to ask someone to not do something.

Do not

A direct and universally understood instruction to not perform an action.

Please do not

A direct and polite way to make a request, less formal than "refrain".

Could you please not

A polite and gentle way to ask someone to avoid doing something, often used in informal contexts.

Avoid

A simple and direct way to recommend the omission of an action.

I'd rather you didn't

A less direct, and more polite and indirect request, implying personal preference.

It would be appreciated if you didn't

An indirect request that emphasizes the appreciation of the action being avoided.

I ask that you don't

A more assertive request, emphasizing the speaker's explicit request.

Desist from

A more formal and legalistic way to say stop doing something.

FAQs

How to use "Please refrain from" in a sentence?

"Please refrain from" is used to politely request that someone avoid doing something. For example, "Please refrain from making noise" or "Please refrain from using flash photography".

What can I say instead of "Please refrain from"?

You can use alternatives like "Kindly avoid", "Please do not", or simply "Do not" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "Please refrain from"?

It's appropriate to use "Please refrain from" in situations where you want to politely but firmly request someone to avoid a particular action, especially in formal settings or written communication.

Is "Please refrain from" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "Please refrain from" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "please don't" or "try not to" might be more appropriate.