it refrains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it refrains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that holds back or abstains from doing something. Example: "The policy refrains from imposing strict penalties on first-time offenders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The department said in its report that it "refrains from reaching definitive conclusions" because the Department of Justice has not completed its own, separate review.

The New York Times

It's apparent in the way it looks – the light of the setting sun and the breaking dawn – but also in the way it refrains from judging its protagonists.

The Guardian - Film

This minimalist indie with a title appropriate for a Judd Apatow comedy, is a smart seriocomic playlet with some emotionally harsh moments, although it refrains from plumbing its subject in agonizing depth.

The New York Times

When RBS makes an acquisition, it refrains from slapping its logo on everything in sight.

Forbes

Hoping to get a sense of where the drift of opinion might lead, I dropped by a small weekly that appears to be aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, the nation's oldest and strongest movement by most accounts, though it exists in political twilight, allowed to function only so long as it refrains from organizing under its own name.

The New York Times - Magazine

The station's coverage of events in the Middle East is relatively free and open, though it refrains from criticizing Qatar and its government.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Although AOL previously offered a high-speed version of its service, it refrained from marketing or promoting it for fear of hurting its low-speed profits.

The New York Times

It refrained, for example, from meddling in the 2008 elections.

The New York Times

As for the Opposition, Mendes-France, who leads it, refrained from speaking or voting.

The New Yorker

The city kept the money, though it refrained from spending it after the judge in the case warned not to.

The New York Times

We've heard the carmakers tired "can't do it" refrain as they fought pollution controls here in Maine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it refrains", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and the context makes it evident what it is refraining from. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it refrains" when a stronger term implying prohibition or prevention is more appropriate. "It refrains" suggests a choice not to act, whereas other situations might require active intervention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it refrains" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of abstaining or holding back from a specific action. Ludwig highlights examples where "it" refers to an entity, such as a report or an organization, that chooses not to engage in something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it refrains" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a deliberate act of abstaining or holding back. As Ludwig shows, it is frequently found in news articles and formal writing, where it conveys a sense of conscious restraint. While alternatives like "it abstains" or "it avoids" exist, "it refrains" offers a specific nuance that is particularly useful in contexts requiring precision and formality. Bear in mind, as per Ludwig AI analysis, to use the phrase where the subject is clear and the intended restraint is unambiguous to enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it abstains

Focuses on the conscious decision to withhold from something.

it avoids

Highlights the act of keeping away from something.

it holds back

Emphasizes the action of restraining or preventing something from happening.

it desists

Formal term for ceasing or abstaining from an action.

it refrains itself

Adds reflexive emphasis on the subject controlling its own actions.

it withholds

Emphasizes the action of keeping something back or not giving it.

it avoids doing

Specifies avoiding the action in gerund form.

it holds off

Highlights delaying or postponing an action.

it declines

Indicates a refusal to engage or participate.

it stays away from

Emphasizes avoiding something physically or metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "it refrains" in a sentence?

You can use "it refrains" to describe something that deliberately avoids or holds back from doing something. For example, "The report "it refrains" from making definitive conclusions due to ongoing investigations".

What are some alternatives to "it refrains"?

Alternatives include "it abstains", "it avoids", or "it holds back", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it refrains" formal or informal?

"It refrains" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for professional writing, news articles, and academic papers. More informal contexts might prefer simpler phrasing.

What's the difference between "it refrains" and "it avoids"?

"It refrains" implies a conscious decision to hold back, while "it avoids" suggests keeping away from something, often without necessarily implying a deliberate choice of holding back.