abstaining from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abstaining from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of refraining from a particular activity, substance, or behavior. Example: "She is abstaining from alcohol during her training period to improve her performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of the respondents abstaining from alcohol in HUNT2 that also participated in HUNT1, 51%% reported abstaining from alcohol, and 98%% were abstainers or "rare drinkers", in HUNT1.

European Journal of Epidemiology

Of the respondents that reported abstaining from alcohol in HUNT1, 89 % of those also participating in HUNT2 reported abstaining from alcohol in HUNT2.

European Journal of Epidemiology

by merely abstaining from work.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There are different forms of abstinence: abstaining from everything, including kissing, to abstaining from just sex.

The Guardian - Books

Abstaining from drugs, for an addict, is abrupt.

Princeton University

To maintain fame by abstaining from anything of import.

The New York Times

ITALIANS in their millions are abstaining from democracy.

The Economist

Those abstaining from voting were often young unemployed people.

The Guardian

He did not explain why he was abstaining from voting.

The Washington Post

Subjects were tested in both conditions in randomized order, after abstaining from cigarettes for 48 hours.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

The rules include abstaining from alcohol, coffee or tea; using clean language; observing dress and grooming standards; and abstaining from premarital sex.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing health-related contexts like diets or substance use, use "abstaining from" to clearly indicate a deliberate choice to refrain from something for well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "abstaining from" interchangeably with terms like "reducing" or "limiting". "Abstaining from" implies complete avoidance, while the others suggest moderation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abstaining from" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or clause. It indicates the action of voluntarily refraining from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the act of deliberately choosing not to engage in a particular activity or consume a specific substance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abstaining from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies the act of voluntarily refraining from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed across diverse contexts, including science, news, and general discourse, to indicate a conscious choice to avoid certain actions or substances. The phrase is most commonly found in news and scientific articles, suggesting its widespread use in both objective reporting and research contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, its formality can vary depending on the source material. Related phrases include "refraining from" and "avoiding", each offering subtle differences in emphasis. To ensure clarity, it's important to use "abstaining from" when you want to indicate complete avoidance, rather than moderation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refraining from

Direct synonym focusing on the act of holding oneself back.

avoiding

Emphasizes the act of keeping away from something.

forgoing

Highlights the act of willingly giving up something.

eschewing

A more formal term for deliberately avoiding something, often for moral reasons.

desisting from

Focuses on ceasing to do something.

abstinence from

Noun form emphasizing the state of refraining.

going without

Suggests enduring the lack of something.

doing without

Similar to 'going without', highlighting coping without something.

shunning

Implies deliberate and often social avoidance.

waiving

Denotes voluntarily giving up a right or claim.

FAQs

What does "abstaining from" mean?

The phrase "abstaining from" means to voluntarily refrain from doing, consuming, or participating in something. It implies a conscious decision to avoid a particular action or substance.

How to use "abstaining from" in a sentence?

You can use "abstaining from" to describe refraining from certain foods, activities, or substances. For example: "During Ramadan, Muslims are required to "abstaining from" food and drink from dawn until sunset."

What are some synonyms for "abstaining from"?

Some synonyms for "abstaining from" include "refraining from", "avoiding", "forgoing", and "eschewing".

When is it appropriate to use "abstaining from" instead of "avoiding"?

"Abstaining from" is more appropriate when the action is deliberate and often tied to a principle or rule, such as "abstaining from" alcohol for health reasons. "Avoiding" is more general and can refer to any act of keeping away from something, whether intentional or not.