hard to refrain

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to refrain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is having difficulty in restraining themselves from doing or saying something. For example: John struggled to find the right words, but it was hard to refrain from snapping at his colleague.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

His vocal defenders included some owners who try hard to refrain from speaking publicly.

The New York Times - Sports

It is always hard to refrain from being so obsessed with finding a plate that I miss the foreign environment for which I came.

The New York Times - Travel

Often when I visit my parents, it is hard to refrain from holding one of their brown wrinkling hands in mine, or brushing a fleshy cheek.

The New York Times

And when each of the adverts closes with the statement #FirstWorldProblems are not problems, it's hard to refrain from channelling Cher from Clueless and snorting, "well, like, duh".

The Guardian - Opinion

Those with a heightened focus on environmental issues, on the other hand, can find it hard to refrain from commenting on things that they view as harmful to Earth — driving an oversize S.U.V., for example.

The New York Times - Science

It's hard to refrain from knocking free schools when the very idea of them seems to be one of the pillars upon which Cameron's "big society" rests – the big society that he's tried several times to explain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In cold weather, though, be extra-easy with the accelerator and try extra-hard to refrain from sudden anything - braking, acceleration, cornering, swerving.

Forbes

It's hard enough to refrain from destroying our digital heritage accidentally; we don't need our government doing it on purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Something about an audience of kids apparently makes it hard for authors to refrain from animating: if an image for children can be made to dance around, it usually does.

The New York Times - Magazine

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican from South Carolina and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told "Fox News Sunday" that the United States "should push China hard" to get North Korea to refrain from aggressive actions.

The New York Times

Some carbs and a good night's sleep are the best ingredients for a successful rally and as hard as it is to refrain from going nuts, the finale parties are always the best so it's always smart to save yourself for them!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to refrain" when you want to emphasize the difficulty someone faces in controlling their actions or words. It often implies a strong urge or temptation is present.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid overusing "hard to refrain" in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "difficult to abstain from" or "challenging to suppress" may be more appropriate for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to refrain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied action. It expresses the difficulty in controlling oneself from performing that action. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to refrain" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the difficulty in controlling one's actions or words. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and reveals its common usage in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose alternatives like "difficult to hold back" or "challenging to abstain" when a more formal tone is required. Using "hard to refrain" effectively involves understanding the implied struggle against a strong urge or temptation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to resist the urge

Highlights the strength of the desire one is fighting against.

difficult to hold back

Emphasizes the challenge in suppressing a reaction or emotion.

hard to abstain from

Highlights the struggle of avoiding something desirable.

tough to keep from

Highlights the struggle to prevent oneself from doing something.

difficult to suppress

Focuses on the effort required to keep something concealed or under control.

challenging to abstain

Focuses on the difficulty of deliberately avoiding something.

tough to control

Highlights the struggle of controlling oneself.

not easy to resist

Underscores the attractiveness or compelling nature of what one is trying to avoid.

difficult to avoid

Emphasizes the impossibility of preventing something.

not easy to forgo

Highlights the challenge of giving up something enjoyable or beneficial.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to refrain" to describe a situation where someone is struggling to control their actions or words due to temptation or strong emotions. For example, "It was "hard to refrain" from laughing at his ridiculous hat".

What are some alternatives to "hard to refrain"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to hold back", "tough to keep from", or "challenging to abstain". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "hard to refrain from" or "hard to refrain to"?

The correct construction is "hard to refrain from". The preposition "from" is necessary when followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "It was hard to refrain from commenting".

What's the difference between "hard to refrain" and "hard to resist"?

"Hard to refrain" implies a conscious effort to control oneself, while "hard to resist" focuses more on the allure or temptation itself. You might say it's "hard to refrain" from eating the cake because it's "hard to resist".