refrain from assuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from assuming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to avoid making assumptions about a situation or person. Example: "In discussions, it's important to refrain from assuming the intentions of others without clear evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thus researchers, they warned, should refrain from assuming that every feature exists for some adaptive purpose.

The New York Times

Refrain from assuming that all vegetarian diets will require too much time and effort.

WikiHow

Refrain from assuming that seemingly sexual gestures mean the girl wants you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Respectfully, while Justice Horkins says one thing, that the courts must be cautious in applying false stereotypes, he fails in refraining from assuming that survivors are liars.

Huffington Post

The Dynamic Loop model used in this study refrains from assuming active driving mechanisms for loop formation, rather loops form by diffusional motion, minimizing the energy cost.

Plosone

However, since our goal is to gain insight into the dynamics that arise from tumour cell proliferation and vessel occlusion, we refrain from adding this extra complexity and assume that η0 is constant (equivalent to VEGF being maintained at a constant level).

Biology Direct

Strictly speaking, the formulation is in the reference placement; however, by assuming small deformations we refrain from distinguishing between reference and current placement.

Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes

From here on, we will refrain from explicit mentioning of pixel positions and assume that all operations are performed on each pixel.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

His pessimistic forecast for the job market and economy assumes that many employers will refrain from serious pruning of their work forces until after the new year begins.

The New York Times

We must refrain from typecasting what we target as a "typical" extremist and avoid assuming that the pathway to radicalisation has any one trigger.

Independent

I will refrain from the criticism of the work of Bourne's group – let us assume that the inference of the oldest folds there is reasonable.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In interpersonal communication, "refrain from assuming" someone's motivations or feelings. Ask clarifying questions instead to foster understanding and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from assuming" as a blanket statement to dismiss all assumptions. Acknowledge that some assumptions are necessary for preliminary analysis, but always validate them with evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from assuming" functions as a directive, advising against making unsubstantiated presumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in English. It serves to caution against jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from assuming" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase that encourages caution and critical thinking. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While it appears across various contexts, including News & Media and scientific publications, its primary function is to advise against making unsubstantiated presumptions. Remember to use this phrase to promote objectivity and prevent misinterpretations, particularly in situations where accuracy and fairness are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid presuming

Focuses on the act of avoiding a presumption, making it slightly more direct.

refrain from jumping to conclusions

Focuses on avoiding hasty or premature conclusions.

forgo making assumptions

Highlights the deliberate choice to omit making assumptions.

abstain from supposing

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing a deliberate choice not to suppose something.

avoid drawing conclusions

Emphasizes the avoidance of forming conclusions prematurely.

hold back from guessing

Highlights the act of withholding a guess, implying uncertainty.

cease to presuppose

Implies stopping a current habit of presupposing.

do not take for granted

Shifts the focus to not accepting something as true without proof.

resist the urge to conclude

Emphasizes resisting an impulse to jump to a conclusion.

steer clear of surmising

Suggests actively avoiding the act of surmising.

FAQs

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

You can use "refrain from assuming" to advise caution against making presumptions without evidence, such as, "When analyzing data, "refrain from assuming" correlation implies causation."

What's a good alternative to "refrain from assuming"?

Alternatives include "avoid presuming", "do not take for granted", or "avoid drawing conclusions", depending on the specific context.

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

It's appropriate to use "refrain from assuming" when you want to urge someone to be cautious and avoid making unsubstantiated presumptions, especially when dealing with sensitive or complex issues.

Is it ever okay to make assumptions, or should I always "refrain from assuming"?

While it's crucial to "refrain from assuming" in situations where accuracy and fairness are paramount, making informed assumptions can be a starting point for exploration. Just ensure these assumptions are tested and validated rigorously.