did not refrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not refrain from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did something without holding back or avoiding it. Example: "She did not refrain from expressing her opinions during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The administration did not refrain from commenting.

The New York Times

But for all of Mr. Romney's precautions, he did not refrain from all criticism abroad.

The New York Times

Johnson, who is an MP but not a minister, did not refrain from commenting on Heathrow.

The Guardian

Senator Barack Obama did not refrain from dropping cutting comments about Senator Hillary Clinton into his speeches.

The New York Times

LITTLE ROCK, Ark .— He chose his home state as the venue, and did not refrain from ticking off several problems he saw with the law.

The New York Times

Though it became apparent in recent months that Mr. Yanukovich might win, Mr. Putin did not refrain from attacking the Ukrainian system, saying that it bred political bedlam.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Democratic Senator Patty Murray, the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, sure didn't refrain from partisanship.

The New Yorker

Just as she didn't refrain from using four-letter words in conversations with friends, or hiding her love affairs, so she didn't feel the need to look perfect.

The New York Times

For his efforts, Land received a letter of reprimand from KBR, telling him that if he didn't "refrain from further involvement regarding the working and living conditions of the sub-contract workers," he could be fired.

The New Yorker

I was skeptical -- and I didn't refrain from voicing my doubts.

Huffington Post

Nonetheless, he does not refrain from playing it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not refrain from" to convey a sense of deliberate action, where someone chooses not to hold back or avoid a particular behavior or expression. It's stronger than simply saying someone 'did' something.

Common error

Avoid using "did not refrain from" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "didn't hold back" or "went ahead" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not refrain from" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something did not hold back or avoid a particular action or expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not refrain from" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a lack of hesitation or restraint in performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct. Although less common than simpler alternatives, it adds a tone of formality and deliberate choice, making it suitable for news, academic writing, and professional contexts. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives such as "did not hesitate to" or "did not hold back from" in more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not hesitate to

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of pause before acting.

did not hold back from

Emphasizes a lack of restraint or reservation.

did not abstain from

Highlights a conscious decision not to withhold oneself from something.

did not avoid

Implies a direct confrontation or engagement with something.

was not reluctant to

Indicates a lack of hesitation or unwillingness.

did not shrink from

Suggests bravery and a lack of fear in facing something.

did not decline to

Indicates a willingness or agreement to do something.

readily engaged in

Emphasizes enthusiasm and willingness in participating.

took the liberty of

Suggests acting freely, sometimes implying a slight overstep of boundaries.

felt no compunction about

Highlights a lack of regret or guilt in doing something.

FAQs

How can I use "did not refrain from" in a sentence?

Use "did not refrain from" to indicate that someone proceeded with an action without hesitation or reservation. For example, "The speaker "did not hesitate to" criticize the policy during the debate".

What are some alternatives to "did not refrain from"?

Some alternatives include "did not hesitate to", "did not hold back from", or "did not avoid" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "did not refrain from" or "didn't refrain from"?

"Did not refrain from" is more formal, while "didn't refrain from" is more informal. Choose based on the context and tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "did not refrain from" and "chose not to refrain from"?

"Did not refrain from" implies a lack of holding back, while "chose not to refrain from" emphasizes a deliberate decision not to hold back. The latter adds a layer of intentionality.