refrain from going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from going" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to not do something or to hold back from doing something, in this case, going somewhere. Example: "I have to refrain from going to the party tonight because I have an early morning tomorrow." This phrase is often used in situations where someone is advising or warning another person not to do something. It can also be used in formal or polite requests, such as in the following context: "I kindly ask that you refrain from going through my personal belongings without my permission." In summary, "refrain from going" is a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts, but it is typically used to discourage or discourage someone from doing something.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Beachgoers should also refrain from going into the water at all for at least two days after a heavy rain.

The New York Times - Travel

Specifically, Mr. Sarkozy said that France was asking its own companies "to refrain from going to Iran".

The New York Times

The big danger is that others now decide there is no incentive to refrain from going nuclear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Suppose the reason that I refrain from going to a party on Saturday night is because there are no parties available for me to go to.

Yale University

The town building inspector, Michael Card, said his request that students refrain from going inside the shanties was not an effort to evacuate the shanties so they could be destroyed.

The New York Times

I'll refrain from going into the politics of his punishment, instead what struck me most at the time was how quiet ordinary, liberal-minded members of British Jewry were.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

She refrained from going into her daughters' school.

The New York Times

He said Sheik Khatib had refrained from going into detail.

The New York Times

Despite his neighborly instincts, he refrained from going over to offer his help or counsel.

The New Yorker

Even when swinging, she refrains from going after the crunching catharsis, preferring bright splayed musical colors and rolling, robust textures.

The New York Times - Arts

"Tommy's improved considerably since coming here," said McCarthy, who nevertheless refrained from going overboard about him afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from going" when you want to politely or formally advise someone against a specific action or attendance, especially when potential negative consequences exist.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from going" in casual conversations; opt for simpler alternatives like "stay away" or "don't go" to maintain a natural, conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from going" functions as an instruction or recommendation to avoid a particular action or place. As Ludwig AI states, it is versatile and used to discourage someone from doing something. The phrase can indicate caution, avoidance or even prohibition, depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refrain from going" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for advising against a particular action or place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for situations requiring a formal or polite tone. While commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it should be used judiciously in casual conversation, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. When composing, remember that "refrain from going" carries a directive purpose, often implying caution or the avoidance of potential negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay away from

A more direct and general way of advising avoidance.

abstain from attending

Focuses specifically on avoiding attendance.

avoid visiting

Emphasizes the act of dodging a visit.

avoid taking the trip

Focuses on the avoidance of a specific journey or trip.

hold back from venturing

Highlights hesitation and caution.

decline to proceed

Implies a formal refusal to continue onward.

forgo traveling

Suggests sacrificing the opportunity to travel.

cease to frequent

Indicates stopping habitual visits.

desist from approaching

Emphasizes stopping before getting close.

shun the act of going

Stronger emphasis on avoiding and rejecting the action.

FAQs

How to use "refrain from going" in a sentence?

You can use "refrain from going" to advise against an action, like: "Beachgoers should "refrain from going" into the water after heavy rain."

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

You can use alternatives like "avoid visiting", "stay away from", or "abstain from attending" depending on the context.

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

"Refrain from going" is appropriate in formal contexts when giving advice or instructions, especially when there are potential risks or negative consequences involved.

Is "refrain from going" a formal expression?

Yes, "refrain from going" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "don't go" or "stay away" may be more suitable.