it refrains from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it refrains from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something is deliberately avoiding or abstaining from a particular action or behavior. Example: "The organization refrains from making any public statements until the investigation is complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 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

Ms. Justman's film is moving, but its greatest virtue is that it refrains from treating history as an unambiguous record of heroism or villainy.

The New York Times

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

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

Just as the union could insist that a company hire from its seniority list, the contractors said, so could it refrain from organizing a particular company.

The New York Times

It refrained from escalating the conflict so close to President Xi Jinping's official state visit.

The Washington Post

The Fed did nothing to fuel such speculation yesterday, as it refrained from open market operations.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it refrains from" to denote a deliberate decision to avoid a specific action, often due to policy, ethics, or strategic considerations. It's suitable for formal writing and conveys a sense of restraint.

Common error

Avoid using "it refrains from" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "it avoids" or "it doesn't" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it refrains from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate choice to abstain from a specific action or behavior. It is used to describe the subject's conscious decision to avoid doing something. Ludwig confirms the expression is valid.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it refrains from" is a versatile and valid expression, as supported by Ludwig. It denotes a conscious decision to avoid a specific action, making it suitable for formal writing and professional communication. While versatile, it is more appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, as evidenced by its frequent use in "News & Media" and scientific publications. For informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives such as "it avoids" or "it doesn't". Remember to use this phrase to highlight deliberate abstention, supported by sound reasoning or strategic considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it avoids

A more direct and simpler alternative, suitable for most contexts.

it abstains from

A more formal and emphatic way of saying it avoids something.

it desists from

A less common, more literary alternative implying a cessation of action.

it withholds from

Suggests a deliberate holding back or suppression.

it holds back from

Implies a conscious effort to restrain oneself from doing something.

it refrains to

An alternative phrase in which the word "from" is exchanged with "to", with a different structure.

it eschews

A formal term meaning to deliberately avoid using or participating in something.

it declines to

Indicates a refusal or unwillingness to do something.

it forgoes

Implies a voluntary renunciation or sacrifice.

it resists the urge to

Focuses on the act of resisting a temptation or impulse.

FAQs

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

Use "it refrains from" to indicate that a subject deliberately avoids a particular action or behavior. For example: "The company refrains from making any public statements until the investigation is complete."

What are some alternatives to "it refrains from"?

You can use alternatives like "it avoids", "it abstains from", or "it desists from" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it refrains from" or "it avoids"?

"It refrains from" is more formal and suggests a conscious decision to abstain, whereas "it avoids" is more general and can imply simply staying away from something.

What does "it refrains from" imply about the subject's actions?

It implies the subject has the capacity or opportunity to do something, but chooses not to, often for a specific reason or principle. The choice is deliberate, not accidental.