please refrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please refrain from" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to abstain from a particular action. For example, "Please refrain from smoking in this building."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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 wearing scented products.

University of California, Berkeley

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

Please refrain from hard copy submissions or telephone calls.

Yale University

Please refrain from wearing scented products, especially perfumes.

University of California, Berkeley

Please refrain from emailing us asking when registration opens.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Please refrain from direct contact with Harvard managers.

Harvard University

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "please refrain from" with a clear and specific action. Vague requests can lead to confusion. For example, "Please refrain from using cell phones during the performance".

Common error

Avoid using "please refrain from" in very casual conversations. It can sound stilted or overly formal among friends or in informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "please don't" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please refrain from" functions as a polite imperative, used to request or instruct someone to avoid a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

34%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please refrain from" is a versatile and polite phrase used to request the avoidance of a specific action. Ludwig AI data indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, ranging from academia and news media to formal business communications. While highly effective in professional and formal settings, consider using more casual alternatives like "please don't" in informal conversations. Mastering the use of "please refrain from" enhances both the clarity and courtesy of your written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly abstain from

Replaces "please refrain" with a more polite and formal "kindly abstain".

refrain from

Omits the politeness marker "please", making it slightly more direct.

please avoid

Offers a more direct and slightly less formal way to ask someone to not do something.

we ask that you not

A more formal construction suitable for official communications.

desist from

A more forceful and formal way to say stop doing something.

it is requested that you not

A very formal and passive way of making a request to abstain.

please do not

Slightly softens the directness of "do not" by adding "please".

do not

A direct, simple command to not perform an action; less polite.

we would appreciate it if you didn't

A more roundabout and polite way of making the same request.

it would be appreciated if you didn't

A passive and polite alternative, suitable for formal settings.

FAQs

How to use "please refrain from" in a sentence?

Use "please refrain from" followed by a verb in its -ing form to politely request someone to avoid doing something. For example, "Please refrain from "smoking in this area"" or "Please refrain from "making noise" after 10 PM".

What can I say instead of "please refrain from"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "please refrain from"?

It's appropriate in situations where a polite, yet firm request is needed, such as in formal emails, public announcements, or when addressing a group of people. It's more formal than simply saying "please don't".

What's the difference between "please refrain from" and "do not"?

"Please refrain from" is a polite request to avoid an action, while "do not" is a direct command. The former is suitable for courteous communication, while the latter is more assertive and may be used when authority is being exercised.