refrain from disclosing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from disclosing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to avoid sharing or revealing certain information. Example: "Please refrain from disclosing any confidential information during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Opinion

"Fearing discrimination and prejudice," it said, "many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people refrain from disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity to researchers and health care providers".

The New York Times - Health

By allowing newly public small companies to refrain from disclosing financial information for years, the bill will provide new targets for short-selling hedge funds.

The New York Times

US government requests to American media to refrain from disclosing the location of the CIA base were made, in part, because it could potentially damage counter-terrorism collaboration with Saudi Arabia.

The Guardian

Just before a recent advance screening of "The Cabin in the Woods," a friendly publicist asked the assembled bloggers and critics if we would please refrain from disclosing any of the "reveals, surprises and uncredited performances" in the movie we were about to see.

The New York Times

It also reminds consumers to: shred credit card slips before discarding; always use a United States Postal Service box instead of leaving mail in office collection trays; refrain from disclosing a Social Security number over the telephone; and use an alternate screen name when entering a chat room.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

With one set of patients, the therapists refrained from disclosing personal information.

The New York Times - Health

Queen Elizabeth refrained from disclosing whom she favors for Mayor of N. Y. although durig her 15 hours here Mayor Wagner was at her side a good deal.

The New Yorker

Blatt, citing a clause in his TMZ contracts that prohibits publicizing the terms with anyone other than an accountant, an attorney, or a judge, refrained from disclosing precise amounts that he has received, adding, "Even if I could tell, I would probably undershoot".

The New Yorker

Thus, the answers of a respondent who refrained from disclosing information on one or more aspects of the accessibility of childcare would not be reliable.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

McConnell replied there is no sacred right to refrain from voluntarily disclosing your choice for office.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to keep information private, use "refrain from disclosing" to clearly communicate the expectation of confidentiality.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "refrain from disclosing" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "don't tell" or "keep it secret" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from disclosing" functions as a verb phrase that expresses a directive or recommendation to avoid revealing specific information. It leverages the infinitive form to convey the intended action, aligning with Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from disclosing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that instructs someone to avoid revealing information. As Ludwig confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts like news, science, and business. While effective for conveying confidentiality, remember to consider simpler alternatives for casual settings. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid revealing

Emphasizes preventing the act of revealing, focusing on circumvention.

abstain from divulging

Highlights a voluntary choice to not divulge information, with a slightly more formal tone.

keep confidential

Focuses on maintaining the confidentiality of information.

withhold from publication

Specifically refers to preventing information from being published.

not make public

Simple and direct way to express keeping something private.

hold back information

Indicates a deliberate act of suppressing information.

suppress disclosure

Focuses on actively preventing information from being disclosed.

decline to reveal

Emphasizes a refusal to reveal information.

refuse to divulge

Highlights a stronger stance of refusing to share information.

keep under wraps

Suggests keeping information secret or hidden.

FAQs

What does "refrain from disclosing" mean?

The phrase "refrain from disclosing" means to avoid revealing or sharing information. It implies a deliberate act of withholding details.

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

You can use alternatives like "avoid revealing", "abstain from divulging", or "keep confidential" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "refrain to disclose"?

No, the correct usage is "refrain from disclosing". The preposition "from" is necessary after "refrain" when followed by a gerund.

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

It's appropriate in formal or professional settings when you want to instruct someone to keep information private. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.