has been refrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been refrained" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "has refrained" or "has been refraining," depending on the intended meaning. Example: "She has refrained from commenting on the issue to avoid further controversy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, the efficiency for most of developed TMO has been refrained by poor intrinsic electrical conductivity and exposed active sites.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If your friend has been refraining and has a set back, do not feel discouraged.

WikiHow

Kim, who has heart problems, had been refraining from drinking on Koh's advice".

The New York Times

Deinocrats on the House Ap propriations Committee, for example, have been refraining from acting on a substitute measure for the "independent offices" appropriations bill that was vetoed by the President in August.

The New York Times

I've written quite a few poems in the last few years that have been refrain driven, and so this book is not so strange a development".

The Guardian - Books

Although they are found in next-generation whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) data on a regular basis, investigating them further has usually been refrained from.

BMC Genomics

Her way of returning Butler's affection has been to refrain from shooting him.

The New York Times

Since 1990, Philip Morris USA's policy has been to refrain from product placement in movies -- yet we continue to receive requests to feature our brands in films.

The New York Times

Removing the Malware: In cases wherein the malware has been installed, refrain from providing credit card information under any circumstances or otherwise use the removal steps defined below.

WikiHow

Such has been the refrain here these past few days.

The New Yorker

"There won't be anything because there is nothing," has been his refrain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the passive construction "has been refrained". Opt for active voice constructions like "has refrained" or rephrase to use alternatives such as "has avoided" or "was prevented from" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "has been refrained" often stems from a misunderstanding of how to properly construct passive voice. Remember that "refrain" is typically used actively. If a passive construction is needed, ensure it's grammatically sound, or revise to an active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been refrained" functions as a past perfect passive construction, although its usage is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the verb "refrain" is typically used in the active voice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "has been refrained" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, "refrain" is typically used in the active voice. To ensure clarity and correctness, it is recommended to use alternatives such as ""has refrained"", "was prevented from", or "has avoided", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. When writing, opting for the active voice not only enhances grammatical accuracy but also ensures your message is communicated effectively and without ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has abstained

This alternative emphasizes a voluntary act of holding oneself back from something.

has avoided

Focuses on the action of actively keeping away from something.

has held back

Suggests a restraint from expressing or doing something.

has desisted

Implies a cessation of an action, often after some initial engagement.

has forborne

Highlights a patient restraint, often in the face of provocation or temptation.

was prevented

Highlights an external force causing the refrain.

was restrained

This implies a limitation imposed by an external entity or circumstance.

has resisted

Emphasizes a conscious effort to fight against an impulse or action.

has declined

Focuses on refusing to do something, often out of choice.

has suppressed

Suggests actively preventing something from being expressed or manifested.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "refrain" in a sentence?

The verb "refrain" is typically used in the active voice. For example, "She "has refrained" from commenting" is correct. The passive form "has been refrained" is generally not used.

What can I say instead of "has been refrained"?

Consider using alternatives like "has abstained", "was prevented from", or "has avoided", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "has been refrained" grammatically correct?

No, "has been refrained" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is usually ""has refrained"" or a similar construction using a different verb.

What's the difference between "has refrained" and "has been refrained"?

"Has refrained" is the active voice and indicates that someone is actively choosing not to do something. "Has been refrained" is generally incorrect and should be avoided. Rephrase the sentence to use active voice or a more appropriate passive construction.