refrain from driving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from driving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising or instructing someone to avoid driving, often for safety or legal reasons. Example: "Due to the severe weather conditions, we advise all drivers to refrain from driving until the storm passes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

For example, out of caution, elderly people with diabetes may restrict their driving to daytime hours, drive shorter distances and refrain from driving in inclement weather compared with those who do not have diabetes [ 34].

Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

Owners are being called and told "to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers" for loaner vehicles.

The New York Times

Even the most secular of Jews will refrain from driving and eating in public and they even turn down the volume of their televisions.

Independent

I got a group of North American expatriates swooning for their old continent by asking if they remembered how, when you stood in the middle of a pedestrian crosswalk back home, cars would refrain from driving into it.

The Guardian

It is commonly recommended that patients refrain from driving for 24 hours after endoscopy for which sedation is given.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The present study suggests that a large amount of the study cohort felt significantly impaired as to refrain from driving.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Turner also told residents to refrain from driving and to "stay off the streets unless it's an emergency".  .

Huffington Post

"Sauber can confirm it has been able to agree with Giedo Van der Garde that he refrains from driving in the Australian Grand Prix so it can keep its original planning," said a Sauber statement.

BBC

Women understood they should avoid lifting heavy loads of laundry, refrain from lifting the toddler and desist from driving.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The relationship between smoking and RTC seems to be far from distraction and carbon monoxide effect on the driver as the risk exists regardless of whether drivers refrain from smoking while driving or not[ 34].

BMC Public Health

Observant Jews are supposed to refrain from writing, using electricity, driving and talking on the telephone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "refrain from driving" due to medical reasons or medication side effects, clearly state the duration of the recommended abstinence.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from driving" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "avoid driving" or "don't drive" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from driving" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of abstaining or avoiding the operation of a motor vehicle. It commonly appears in contexts related to safety advisories, medical instructions, or legal restrictions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

56%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrain from driving" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that advises against operating a vehicle, often due to safety or legal reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media or scientific contexts, carrying a tone ranging from neutral to formal. For less formal situations, simpler alternatives such as "avoid driving" or "do not drive" may be more suitable. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly specify the reason and duration for abstaining from driving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid driving

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used synonym.

do not drive

This alternative is a simple and direct command or instruction.

abstain from driving

This alternative is a more formal synonym, emphasizing a deliberate choice to not drive.

hold off on driving

This alternative suggests postponing driving to a later time.

cease driving

This alternative suggests stopping an action that is already in progress.

not operate a vehicle

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of operating any vehicle.

desist from driving

This alternative is a more formal and less common synonym for stopping an action.

stay off the road

This alternative emphasizes avoiding roadways in general.

take a break from driving

This alternative suggests temporarily stopping driving, implying a longer journey.

give up driving

This alternative suggests permanently stopping driving.

FAQs

What does "refrain from driving" mean?

The phrase "refrain from driving" means to abstain from operating a motor vehicle, typically due to safety concerns, legal restrictions, or personal choice.

When should I use the phrase "refrain from driving"?

Use "refrain from driving" when you want to advise or instruct someone to avoid driving, particularly for safety or legal reasons, such as after taking medication or during inclement weather.

What are some alternatives to "refrain from driving"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid driving", "do not drive", or "abstain from driving" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "refrain to drive" instead of "refrain from driving"?

No, the correct phrase is "refrain from driving". The preposition "from" is required after "refrain" when followed by a gerund (driving). Using "to" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.