please refrain

USAGE SUMMARY

"please refrain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to not do something, for example: "Please refrain from using offensive language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Please refrain from calling or visiting.

The New York Times

BTL, please refrain from blatant codswallop.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Please refrain from using your cellphone inside this space.

The New York Times

"Will the witness please refrain from shagging flies".

The New Yorker

Please refrain from eggs-treme arguments below the line.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Signs on delicate furniture request, "Please refrain from placing items on this table".

The New York Times

"Please refrain from dropping anybody's private information anywhere on anonymous's behalf," one poster wrote.

The New York Times

While polls remain open please refrain from disclosing your voting choices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Management has requested that comedians please refrain from doing crowd work involving the Thai place's employees!

The New Yorker

(If you are a gardener, please refrain from using chocolate mint or apple mint here).

The New York Times - Food

Please refrain from posting spoilers if you've seen beyond episode nine (Trou Normand).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a group, "please refrain" sets a respectful tone while clearly communicating expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "please refrain" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stiff in relaxed settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "please don't" or "try not to" in informal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please refrain" functions as a polite imperative, used to request or instruct someone to avoid a particular action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically sound way to discourage certain behaviors, seen in examples across varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

19%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please refrain" is a versatile phrase used to politely request the avoidance of certain actions. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and most appropriate for formal to neutral contexts. Analysis of many examples reveals its prevalence in news, media, and wiki sources. When a less formal tone is desired, consider alternatives like "kindly avoid" or "please do not". While generally well-received, avoid overusing "please refrain" in casual settings to prevent sounding overly formal. This phrase is a valuable tool for clear and courteous communication, as verified by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from

Omits "please", making the request more direct and less polite while retaining formality.

please abstain from

Replaces "refrain" with "abstain from", adding a layer of formality and emphasizing voluntary avoidance.

kindly avoid

Substitutes "please" with "kindly", offering a slightly softer tone, and replaces "refrain" with the more direct "avoid".

please cease

Replaces "refrain" with "cease", indicating a request to stop an action that is already in progress.

please do not

Replaces the more formal "refrain" with the simpler and more direct "do not".

we request you not to

Presents a formal request, often used in official or institutional contexts.

avoid doing

Offers a more direct and less polite alternative, suitable for informal settings.

we ask that you not

Shifts from a direct request to a more collective and suggestive formulation.

it would be appreciated if you didn't

Introduces a conditional tone, making the request sound more indirect and polite.

do not

A shorter, more forceful way of asking someone not to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "please refrain" in a sentence?

"Please refrain" is used to politely ask someone to avoid doing something. For example: "Please refrain from using cell phones during the performance" or "Visitors, please refrain from feeding the animals".

What can I say instead of "please refrain"?

You can use alternatives like "kindly avoid", "please do not", or "please abstain from" depending on the context.

Is it more polite to say "please refrain from" or "do not"?

"Please refrain from" is generally considered more polite and formal than a simple "do not". The addition of "please" and the use of "refrain" soften the command, making it a courteous request.

When is it appropriate to use "please refrain"?

It is appropriate to use "please refrain" in formal settings, written notices, or when addressing a group where you want to maintain a respectful and polite tone. It's less suitable for very casual or informal conversations.