refrain from addressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from addressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to avoid discussing or mentioning a particular topic or issue. Example: "In this meeting, we will refrain from addressing any personal matters to keep the focus on our agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

More specifically, police may refrain from addressing criminal behaviour (e.g., domestic violence) within a particular minority group because they believe that members of that group typically engage in such behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Senators are so used to depositing their thoughts in the fishbowl of the Congressional Record that they will probably be unable to refrain from addressing their remarks to people who will have been dead a hundred years by the time some other people read them.

The New Yorker

They resent that for many in the United States, the president's faith seems to allow him to refrain from addressing stubborn facts and complicated arguments, as though it were enough to reason, "These are the president's policies; the president is a devout and moral Christian; therefore, these are devout and moral Christian policies".

The New York Times

Although we generally refrain from addressing issues that the case at hand does not require us to address, there are occasions when we deem it jurisprudentially sound to provide guidance with respect to an issue that "is bound to resurface" at some future point in time.

Harvard University

Celebrities typically refrain from addressing the gossip sites that taunt them.

Vice

While we will not refrain from addressing other issues, the Guinness boycott is our top priority.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Mr. Bush also refrained from addressing the looming issue of the alternative minimum tax.

The New York Times

But she refrained from addressing the controversy and told media she would not comment on the IPO.

The Guardian - Tech

In 1930 Zweig persuaded Roth to drop the "Mr" but Roth still refrained from addressing Zweig as "Stefan".

The Guardian - Books

Does Rodriguez deny using performance-enhancing drugs? A. Rodriguez's lawyers have publicly refrained from addressing the accusation that he used banned substances, citing a confidentiality clause.

The New York Times - Sports

In respect of Japanese sensitivities, he refrained from addressing the centrality of nuclear to Korea's green growth plans, but tension between the competing visions for what counts as "green" were evident throughout the two-day meeting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for neutrality or professionalism, use "refrain from addressing" to signal a conscious decision to avoid a topic. It's particularly effective in formal communications or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from addressing" in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "avoid talking about" or "not mention" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from addressing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of avoiding or abstaining from discussing a particular topic. It's often used to describe a conscious choice to not engage with an issue, as illustrated by Ludwig in its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from addressing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a conscious decision to avoid discussing a particular topic. As pointed out by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While it's a valid phrase, it's advisable to "avoid addressing" using it in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. When aiming for precision and indicating a deliberate choice to abstain from discussion, "refrain from addressing" is a suitable option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid addressing

This alternative is more general and implies a simple avoidance without necessarily a conscious decision to do so.

abstain from discussing

This alternative is more formal and suggests a deliberate choice not to engage in discussion.

omit addressing

This suggests a complete exclusion of the topic from any discourse.

decline to address

This indicates a direct refusal to comment or discuss a specific matter.

sidestep the issue

This implies avoiding a direct response by changing the subject or being evasive.

skirt around the topic

This suggests a cautious and indirect approach to a sensitive subject.

pass over in silence

This emphasizes a deliberate choice to not mention something at all.

not touch upon

Indicates not dealing with or discussing something.

keep mum about

This implies maintaining silence, often about something that could be controversial.

hold back from commenting

This suggests an active restraint from expressing an opinion or providing information.

FAQs

What does "refrain from addressing" mean?

The phrase "refrain from addressing" means to deliberately avoid discussing or dealing with a particular subject or issue. It implies a conscious decision to not bring up or engage with the topic.

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

You can use "refrain from addressing" when you want to indicate that someone or something is consciously avoiding a topic. For example: "The report will "decline to address" the controversy surrounding its funding."

What are some alternatives to "refrain from addressing"?

Alternatives to "refrain from addressing" include "avoid addressing", "abstain from discussing", or "omit addressing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "refrain from addressing" or "avoid addressing"?

"Refrain from addressing" is generally more formal than "avoid addressing". "Refrain" suggests a more deliberate and conscious decision to abstain, while "avoid" can imply a more passive or unintentional action.