refrain from doing so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from doing so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising or instructing someone to avoid a particular action or behavior. Example: "We kindly ask you to refrain from doing so during the meeting to maintain a respectful environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The son said he would refrain from doing so.

The New York Times

(Gazprom has said it will try to refrain from doing so again this time).

The New York Times

This obligation may be to pay a sum of money, to perform some act, or to refrain from doing so.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many people do not mind being asked either to pop a capsule regularly, or to refrain from doing so.

The Economist

"We refrain from doing so because we respect the scientific process, and we are waiting to see the evidence".

The New York Times - Science

Which does not mean that anyone curious — and deep-pocketed — enough to take the test should refrain from doing so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

For fear of ridicule, your columnist has refrained from doing so.

The Economist

That subsequent generations refrained from doing so was, Freud suggested, due to a collective bad conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Megawati had refrained from doing so, apparently out of fear of upsetting Islamic groups.

The New York Times

It mainly refrained from doing so even during the depths of the global financial crisis in late 2008 and early 2009.

The New York Times

Ford cited driver error in defending some early lawsuits but has largely refrained from doing so in recent months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from doing so" in formal writing when you want to advise against a specific action. It's particularly effective in instructions or guidelines where a clear and polite directive is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from doing so" in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "avoid doing that" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from doing so" functions primarily as an instructional or advisory expression. It is used to politely request or advise someone to avoid a particular action. Ludwig confirms this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrain from doing so" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to politely advise against a specific action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase functions as an advisory expression and is particularly effective in formal settings where politeness is important. While alternatives like "avoid doing that" exist, "refrain from doing so" carries a more formal tone. It's frequently found in news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, demonstrating its broad applicability across diverse writing contexts. When aiming for clarity and politeness in your writing, consider using "refrain from doing so" to guide behavior without being overly directive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstain from doing it

Replaces "so" with "it", making the phrase slightly less formal and more direct.

avoid doing that

Uses "avoid" instead of "refrain", simplifying the language and making it more casual.

desist from doing so

Substitutes "refrain" with "desist", increasing the formality of the phrase.

hold back from doing it

Employs "hold back" to convey restraint, changing the structure and adding a more active sense of withholding.

forgo doing that

Replaces "refrain" with "forgo", which suggests a deliberate decision to omit an action.

cease to do so

Shifts the focus to stopping an action, using "cease" instead of "refrain".

shun doing that

Implies a stronger avoidance or aversion, using "shun" to suggest a deliberate act of staying away.

decline to do so

Focuses on refusing to perform an action, replacing "refrain" with "decline".

pass on doing that

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression to indicate avoidance.

omit to do it

Emphasizes the act of leaving something undone, using "omit" to suggest a conscious decision not to act.

FAQs

How to use "refrain from doing so" in a sentence?

You can use "refrain from doing so" when you want to politely advise someone to not do something. For example, "We kindly ask you to "refrain from doing so" during the performance."

What can I say instead of "refrain from doing so"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid doing that", "abstain from doing so", or "desist from doing so" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "refrain from doing so" or "refrain to do so"?

"Refrain from doing so" is correct. The verb "refrain" requires the preposition "from" when followed by a gerund (doing). "Refrain to do so" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "refrain from doing so" and "avoid doing so"?

"Refrain from doing so" is generally more formal and polite, while "avoid doing so" is more direct and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. They both mean to not do something, but "refrain" carries a stronger sense of deliberate self-control.