abstained from running

USAGE SUMMARY

"abstained from running" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone choosing not to participate in running, often for reasons like health, rules, or personal choice. Example: "She abstained from running in the marathon due to an injury." Alternative expressions include "refrained from running" and "chose not to run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The younger Mr. Salam is himself a seasoned politician, known for having taken a stand against Syrian meddling in Lebanese affairs, most notably when he abstained from running in the 1992 parliamentary elections to protest Syrian hegemony.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stop your nose from running.

WikiHow

(Donovan, too, largely abstained from alcohol; that was not where the reputation for wildness came from).

The New Yorker

Camus was a moralist who unhesitatingly distinguished good from evil but abstained from condemning human frailty.

The Guardian - Books

They observed chastity for several days and abstained from certain foods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ancient Israelites, for example, abstained from sexual intercourse before going into battle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many of Yanukovych's allies were absent or abstained from voting.

The Washington Post

But the Chinese abstained from a subsequent resolution that essentially approved military support for the Libyan rebels.

The New York Times

The daily abstained from coverage of the royals unless the monarch or her heir said something important.

Independent

After serving 10 years for attempted murder, he started a video production business, moved into an apartment in Manhattan, got engaged and abstained from drugs and alcohol.

The New York Times

For nearly six months, Hamas has largely avoided firing the rockets and Israel has largely abstained from reacting, though it still goes after militants in the West Bank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abstained from running" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and often principled decision not to participate in a running activity or event. It can suggest a moral, ethical, or strategic reason behind the non-participation.

Common error

Avoid using "abstained from running" when a simpler phrase like "did not run" would suffice. The term carries a connotation of deliberate choice, so using it in situations where that connotation is absent can sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abstained from running" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate choice to avoid or not participate in a running activity. This suggests a conscious decision rather than a mere absence of participation. Ludwig examples show it often relates to political or moral choices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abstained from running" is a grammatically correct phrase that indicates a deliberate decision not to participate in running. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While rare, it carries a connotation of conscious choice, making it suitable for contexts where the reasons behind the non-participation are important. The phrase is primarily found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. Consider using alternative phrases like "refrained from running" or "chose not to run" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrained from running

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly more formal tone.

chose not to run

A more direct and simple way of expressing the same idea.

declined to participate in the race

More specific, indicating a refusal to take part in a race.

opted out of running

Suggests a conscious decision to exclude oneself from running.

withdrew from the competition

Implies a prior involvement or intention to participate, now abandoned.

passed on the opportunity to run

Indicates a missed or rejected chance to run.

did not run

A straightforward statement of non-participation.

avoided running

Suggests an active effort to stay away from running activities.

stayed away from running

Highlights a deliberate avoidance of running.

excused themselves from running

Indicates a formal or polite withdrawal from a running event.

FAQs

What does "abstained from running" mean?

It means someone deliberately chose not to participate in running, often for a specific reason such as health, protest, or personal conviction. It implies a conscious decision rather than simply not running.

When is it appropriate to use "abstained from running"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the deliberate nature of someone's decision not to run, suggesting a reason or principle behind their choice. It's stronger than simply saying they "did not run".

Are there synonyms for "abstained from running"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "refrained from running", "chose not to run", or "declined to participate in the race" depending on the specific context.

How does "abstained from running" differ from "did not run"?

"Abstained from running" suggests a conscious and deliberate decision with an underlying reason, while "did not run" is a simple statement of fact without implying any particular motivation.