refrain

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'refrain' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a part of a song or poem that is repeated throughout the song or poem. For example: Each verse of the song ended with the same refrain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Opinion

He has introduced bonuses for workers who turn up sober and refrain from stealing, and the sack for those who do not.

The Economist

We emphasize the need to refrain from pressing our Palestinian people and their camps in the Syrian crisis.

The Guardian

No ringing refrain emerged from a staccato seven-way conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"At times it is appropriate to refrain from performing certain acts of obedience," he said, "in order to avoid the hardships of others".

The Guardian - Arts

It must cease all special permits and refrain from issuing any more.

The Guardian

This is a public space, but the contemplative style and atmosphere seem to instil a reverence in visitors, who automatically refrain from walking on the gravel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In all of this, it is crucial that revolutionary media correctly interpret the news they receive and refrain from publishing items simply for their exciting content".

The Guardian

At times it may also be appropriate to refrain from certain building projects, to avoid the relentless transformation of Mecca into a luxury pay-per-prayer resort.

The Guardian - Arts

In Europe, where the planned execution has drawn widespread criticism, politicians and activists were making a last-minute appeal to the state of Georgia to refrain from executing Davis.

The Guardian

The lessons are free and the SlumGods refrain from accepting donations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain" to suggest a deliberate act of self-control, often in formal or official contexts. For example, "Please refrain from using mobile phones during the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "refrain" in everyday conversation, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for more casual alternatives like "avoid" or "hold back" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of the verb "refrain" is to express the act of deliberately holding back or abstaining from a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, often seen in formal requests or directives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "refrain" is a versatile verb primarily used to indicate the act of deliberately holding back or abstaining from a particular action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s grammatically sound and primarily found in neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles and business communications. Its most common function is to instruct or advise avoidance of a specific behavior. While common, remember to consider context, choosing more casual alternatives like "avoid" or "hold back" for informal settings. To enhance clarity, always pair "refrain" with "from" followed by a gerund. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ "refrain", reinforcing its validity in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstain

Direct synonym, indicating a conscious decision not to do something.

desist

Formal term for ceasing or holding back from an action.

forbear

Implies patience and tolerance in holding back.

hold back

General term for restraining oneself or someone else.

keep from

Similar to "hold back", suggesting prevention from an action.

avoid

Suggests staying away from a particular action or situation.

shun

Implies deliberately avoiding something, often with a negative connotation.

eschew

Formal term for deliberately avoiding something considered undesirable.

cease

Indicates stopping an action or behavior.

stop oneself

Emphasizes the act of self-control in preventing an action.

FAQs

How to use "refrain" in a sentence?

Use "refrain" to indicate a deliberate act of holding back from doing something. For example, "We ask that you please "refrain from smoking" in this area."

What can I say instead of "refrain"?

You can use alternatives like "abstain", "avoid", or "hold back" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "refrain from" or "refrain to"?

"Refrain from" is the correct construction. "Refrain" is typically followed by "from" and a gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "Please refrain from talking during the performance."

What's the difference between "refrain" and "abstain"?

While both "refrain" and "abstain" mean to hold back from something, "refrain" often implies a temporary holding back, whereas "abstain" can suggest a more permanent or principled decision. For example, "refrain from eating sweets" vs "abstain from voting".