agreed to refrain

USAGE SUMMARY

"agreed to refrain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone agrees not to do something. Example: They agreed to refrain from visiting the park during the weekend to help slow the spread of the virus.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Apple and the publishers also agreed to refrain from making "most favored nation" arrangements.

The New York Times

The banks agreed to refrain from future violations of securities laws.

The New York Times

And both sides have agreed to refrain from publicly disparaging the other.

The New York Times

Both sides have agreed to refrain from making public comments on the substance of the talks.

The Guardian

He also agreed to refrain from any partisan political activities for up to three years after his release from prison.

The New York Times

Vivendi also agreed to refrain from establishing a pay television service to rival Canal Plus in France.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He should agree to refrain from trying to arraign Israel in the International Criminal Court for its past actions.

The Economist

At the end of 2005, after agreeing to refrain from "anti-American activities or military actions," he was released and returned to Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

Insiders agree to refrain from selling shares, typically for at least six months after initial public offerings, to prevent them from inundating the market with additional stock.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, he responded to Mr. Bloomberg with a counteroffer: both sides could agree to refrain from running television ads between now and November.

The New York Times

To get his out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed, Mr. Icahn must agree to refrain from running a proxy fight against Dell's board or filing a lawsuit against the company, according to a letter sent to him by the committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "agreed to refrain", clearly specify the action being avoided to ensure clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain" interchangeably with words like "restrain" or "retain". "Refrain" specifically means to abstain from doing something, while "restrain" means to hold back or control, and "retain" means to keep or hold onto something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agreed to refrain" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a formal agreement or commitment to abstain from a particular action. As Ludwig explains, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agreed to refrain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a formal agreement to avoid a specific action. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Analysis of usage patterns shows that it frequently appears in news and media, authoritative encyclopedias, and scientific publications, highlighting its versatility and acceptance. When using this phrase, ensure that the action being avoided is clearly specified to prevent any ambiguity. Alternatives include "consented to abstain" or "pledged to avoid", which offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consented to abstain

Replaces "refrain" with "abstain", offering a more formal tone, while "consented" emphasizes the agreement.

pledged to avoid

"Pledged" indicates a more solemn agreement, and "avoid" is a simpler synonym for "refrain".

committed to not do

Uses a more direct and less formal construction, replacing "refrain" with "not do".

undertook to abstain from

More formal and emphasizes a binding obligation to avoid something.

vowed to not engage in

"Vowed" suggests a strong promise, and "engage in" broadens the scope of actions being avoided.

promised to withhold from

"Promised" keeps the agreement aspect, while "withhold from" suggests a deliberate holding back.

reached an understanding to not

Focuses on the mutual agreement to avoid something, rather than a formal pledge.

gave an assurance to not

Emphasizes the guarantee provided to avoid a specific action.

decided against doing

Indicates a decision to not pursue a course of action, which is less formal.

undertook not to participate in

Emphasizes a formal commitment to non-participation.

FAQs

What does "agreed to refrain" mean?

The phrase "agreed to refrain" means that parties have made a formal agreement to abstain from doing something. It indicates a commitment to avoid a particular action or behavior, often to maintain peace, comply with regulations, or achieve a specific goal.

How can I use "agreed to refrain" in a sentence?

You can use "agreed to refrain" to show that someone or some group made a deal to not do something. For example, "The countries "pledged to avoid" military action in the region."

What are some alternatives to "agreed to refrain"?

Some alternatives to "agreed to refrain" include "consented to abstain", "pledged to avoid", or "committed to not do", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "agreed to refrain from" or "agreed to refrain to"?

The correct form is "agreed to refrain from". The word "refrain" requires the preposition "from" to indicate what action is being avoided. "Agreed to refrain to" is grammatically incorrect.