refrain from acting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from acting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising or instructing someone to avoid taking action in a particular situation. Example: "In order to resolve the conflict peacefully, it is best to refrain from acting until all parties have had a chance to express their views."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

TechCrunch

Ascribing such duties potentially infringes the liberty persons otherwise enjoy to act and refrain from acting as they see fit so long as they do not affirmatively harm others.

SEP

Another distinction exists between a command addressed by legislation to the citizen, requiring him to act or to refrain from acting in a certain way, and a direction addressed to the administrative authorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They allow us to compartmentalise, to be conscious of the issues when there is little that we can do about them, and to forget them at the moment when we have the capacity to act (or to refrain from acting).

The Guardian - Opinion

A second problem is that God always does what is best, so God cannot refrain from acting on his judgment of what is best, and thus acts necessarily, which Clarke claims is a contradiction (D 83 86, W 571 573).

SEP

Mr Netanyahu said in a televised address that Palestinian militants "presumed that I would refrain from acting forcefully against them.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It doesn't follow that the agent wouldn't have refrained from acting maliciously if she had chosen not to act maliciously.

SEP

If a participant decided not to act on a given trial and the desired event occurred, then refraining from acting was probably reinforced.

Experimental Psychology

Today this Court has decided that a new application even in the old field of torts should not be made by adjudication, where Congress has refrained from acting.

Cornell University

Deinocrats on the House Ap propriations Committee, for example, have been refraining from acting on a substitute measure for the "independent offices" appropriations bill that was vetoed by the President in August.

The New York Times

What is needed is an ironclad American assurance that if Israel refrains from acting in its own window of opportunity — and all other options have failed to halt Tehran's nuclear quest — Washington will act to prevent a nuclear Iran while it is still within its power to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from acting" when you want to advise someone to intentionally withhold from taking action, especially in situations where immediate reaction might be detrimental.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from acting" when simply describing an inability to act. The phrase suggests a conscious choice, not a lack of capacity. Consider alternative phrasing, such as "was unable to act".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from acting" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often serving as part of a command, suggestion, or statement of intent. It signifies the act of intentionally avoiding or withholding from taking action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and varied usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from acting" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for advising or instructing someone to avoid taking action. While Ludwig indicates its acceptability across various domains, it's most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. As it suggests a deliberate choice to withhold action, be cautious not to confuse it with the general inability to act. When you need alternatives, you could say "abstain from acting" or "avoid taking action". The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstain from acting

A more formal alternative that emphasizes a deliberate choice to avoid action.

desist from acting

Similar to abstain, but may imply a cessation of an action already in progress.

forbear from acting

Implies patience and tolerance in choosing not to act.

hold back from acting

Suggests a conscious effort to restrain oneself from acting impulsively.

avoid taking action

A more general phrase that doesn't necessarily imply a conscious effort to restrain oneself.

shun acting

Indicates a strong aversion to acting, possibly due to ethical or moral considerations.

keep from acting

Similar to hold back but can also suggest preventing someone else from acting.

stay one's hand

A more idiomatic and literary way to express refraining from action, often suggesting a potential for violence or aggression.

take no action

Emphasizes the absence of any intervention or activity.

decline to act

Implies a deliberate refusal to become involved or take responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "refrain from acting" in a sentence?

You can use "refrain from acting" to advise or instruct someone to avoid taking action in a particular situation, especially when a hasty response could be harmful. For example: "In order to resolve the conflict peacefully, it is best to "refrain from acting" until all parties have had a chance to express their views."

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

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

Is it correct to say "refrain to act" instead of "refrain from acting"?

No, the correct form is "refrain from acting". The preposition "from" is required after "refrain" when it's followed by a gerund (a verb acting as a noun).

What's the difference between "refrain from acting" and "hesitate to act"?

"Refrain from acting" implies a conscious decision to withhold action, often to avoid negative consequences. "Hesitate to act", on the other hand, suggests a reluctance or uncertainty before taking action, potentially due to fear or doubt.