refrain from attending work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from attending work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising or instructing someone not to go to their workplace, often due to illness or other valid reasons. Example: "Due to the ongoing health concerns, employees are advised to refrain from attending work until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Religion may command that believers dress in a certain way (what Peter Jones calls an "intrinsic burden"), not that believers refrain from attending school or going to work (Jones 1994).

SEP

Orr went on to apologize to "Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith, and the Texas Tech Men's basketball program," and agreed to refrain from attending any more Texas Tech games this season.

The New Yorker

The University of Illinois recently came under fire for urging its employees to refrain from attending political rallies and from displaying campaign bumper stickers on campus.

The New York Times

One diplomat said his embassy's letter from the Chinese embassy requested obliquely that they "refrain from attending any activity directed against China".

Wikipedia

On the eve of the protest, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that he fully supported the marchers, but would refrain from attending the event.

Vice

Control participants were not asked to refrain from attending interventions considered to be part of their usual treatment.

BMC Psychiatry

In later years, Levitt, always fiercely defensive of her private life, refrained from attending launches of her work or giving interviews about it - although she did emerge to speak to the New York Times in 2002, and seemed as curious as ever about the world outside.

The Guardian - Arts

He even refrains from attending scientific conferences, preferring to stay out of the limelight and in his laboratory.

The Guardian

It seems that, in particular, frail older people refrained from attending the group programme.

BMC Health Services Research

Both staff as well as users of such services, particularly women and children, are refraining from attending either school or health facilities due to the adverse security environment.

Unicef

Previously, GPs could advise either that a patient should refrain from work, or need not refrain from work.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising employees to "refrain from attending work" due to illness, clearly state the duration or conditions for their return. This helps manage expectations and ensures clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague instructions like simply telling someone to "refrain from attending work" without specifying the circumstances for their return. Provide clear guidelines or a timeframe to prevent confusion and ensure compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from attending work" functions as an instruction or recommendation, advising someone not to go to their workplace. It implies a deliberate choice to avoid being present at work. According to Ludwig, it is used in a formal and professional context.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrain from attending work" is a grammatically correct and formal way to advise or instruct someone not to go to their workplace. While examples are limited, Ludwig indicates its usability in written English, often in the context of workplace policies or health advisories. Alternatives include phrases like "avoid going to work" or "stay away from work", offering similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear guidance on the circumstances and duration of the instruction. Overall, while the phrase is valid, its usage should be tailored to suit the specific context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid going to work

Uses "avoid" instead of "refrain", offering a more direct way to express the action of not going to work.

stay away from work

Emphasizes physical absence from the workplace.

take time off work

Focuses on the act of taking a break or leave from work.

not report for work

A formal way of saying someone will not be present at work.

be absent from work

Indicates a state of being away from work, often due to illness or other reasons.

call in sick

Specifically refers to informing the employer about an absence due to illness.

take a sick day

Implies using allocated sick leave.

be on leave

Suggests a more extended period away from work, such as vacation or sabbatical.

skip work

An informal way of saying someone is not attending work, often without permission.

beg off work

To ask to be excused from work, often politely.

FAQs

What does "refrain from attending work" mean?

It means to avoid going to your workplace or participating in work-related activities. It's a formal way of advising someone not to be present at their job, often due to illness or other valid reasons.

When is it appropriate to use "refrain from attending work"?

This phrase is suitable in formal communication, such as company memos or official guidelines, when instructing employees to stay away from the workplace. For instance, "Due to the ongoing health concerns, employees are advised to "refrain from attending work" until further notice."

What are some alternatives to "refrain from attending work"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid going to work", "stay away from work", or "take time off work", depending on the context.

Is "refrain from attending work" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase ""refrain from attending work"" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. According to Ludwig, it's often used to instruct or advise someone not to go to their workplace.