abstention from

USAGE SUMMARY

"abstention from" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which a person or group is deliberately refraining from participating in or performing an activity. For example: "He conveys his distaste for the current political situation through his abstention from the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why this abstention from theology?

The New York Times - Books

"It basically preaches abstention from everything".

The New York Times

That is no blanket abstention from the rules.

The New York Times

The vote was 14-0 with one abstention from Indonesia.

The Guardian

That, however, does not entail abstention from all public controversy.

The Guardian - Opinion

His life was pure and simple: vegetarianism, teetotalism, abstention from religious rites of any kind.

The Economist

Such diarrhea generally disappears spontaneously with abstention from food accompanied by drinking of nonalcoholic fluids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yom Kippur is marked by abstention from food, drink, and sex.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Luckily, I have negotiated a mutual abstention from gift-duty with my like-minded stepdad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means something flaming, like Joan of Arc.

The New Yorker

"There is no option in this world of abstention from politics", he wrote.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abstention from", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being refrained from. Clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "abstention from" without clearly specifying what is being avoided. Vague usage can lead to misinterpretation and weaken the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abstention from" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates the act of deliberately refraining from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abstention from" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate a deliberate act of refraining from something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "refraining from" and "avoidance of" exist, "abstention from" offers a more formal and precise way to express this concept. When using "abstention from", clarity is key; always specify what is being abstained from to avoid any ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refraining from

Focuses on the act of holding oneself back from doing something.

avoidance of

Emphasizes preventing something from happening or being encountered.

non-participation in

Highlights the lack of involvement in a specific activity or event.

withdrawal from

Suggests a deliberate removal or stepping back from something.

opting out of

Implies a conscious decision to not be part of something.

declining to engage in

Formal way of saying that someone refuses to take part in something.

eschewal of

Highlights a deliberate avoidance and rejection of something, often for moral or aesthetic reasons.

forbearance from

Emphasizes patience and self-control in refraining from something.

self-restraint in

Highlights the self-control aspect of avoiding something.

shunning of

Suggests a deliberate and often public avoidance of someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "abstention from" in a sentence?

Use "abstention from" to indicate a deliberate act of refraining from something. For example, "His "abstention from" voting reflected his dissatisfaction with all candidates".

What are some alternatives to "abstention from"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "refraining from", "avoidance of", or "non-participation in".

Is it more formal to say "abstention from" or "avoiding"?

"Abstention from" tends to be more formal than simply saying "avoiding". The former is often used in official or academic contexts, while the latter is more common in everyday language.

What's the difference between "abstention from" and "withdrawal from"?

"Abstention from" implies a deliberate choice not to participate, while "withdrawal from" suggests a removal or stepping back from something that one was previously involved in.