refrain from judging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from judging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to avoid making judgments about others or situations, often in a context of promoting understanding or tolerance. Example: "In discussions about sensitive topics, it's important to refrain from judging others based on their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I wish that Gail Collins would refrain from judging a book by its quantity rather than by its quality ("Moby Dick on a Broom," column, July 7).

The New York Times

Zachary Wright, an associate professor of religious studies at Northwestern University in Qatar, told al-Arabiya News that disapproving people should refrain from judging the man in the video.

The Guardian

But what you can do is be in the situation where you are watching it happen in front of you and refrain from judging it.

Huffington Post

The first step in helping restless kids learn to manage themselves is to refrain from judging them as somehow deficient and accept that many children literally think best "on their feet".

Huffington Post

I hope someday there will be more advances to bring back the beautiful people we once knew, but for now, compassion, which means "to suffer with," helps me refrain from judging others for the horrors they've bestowed and endured.

Huffington Post

If there's one thing Americans love, it's bringing up whatever tenuous Irish heritage they may have whenever it suits them (I'll refrain from judging this, as i've been known to be guilty of it myself, usually whilst watching The Departed or election results coverage), so this could be the tune that gets you guys into the game.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I refrained from judging him, half-consciously.

The Guardian - Tech

At a separate news briefing, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg referred to "chaos with the subway system," but refrained from judging the agency's performance.

The New York Times

It's apparent in the way it looks – the light of the setting sun and the breaking dawn – but also in the way it refrains from judging its protagonists.

The Guardian - Film

Nevertheless, it is right that Marcus, following Epictetus, recommends refraining from judging 'good' or 'bad' since those describe only virtue and vice and none but the fully virtuous person really knows those (see, e.g., Encheiridion 45).

SEP

O'Casey refrains from judging his characters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from judging" when you want to encourage a non-judgmental attitude, especially in contexts where understanding and empathy are important. It is suitable for formal and informal settings.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "refrain from judging" in very casual conversations can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "don't judge" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from judging" functions as an instruction or recommendation, urging avoidance of judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The examples show its deployment across multiple contexts, from personal advice to ethical guidelines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refrain from judging" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that advises against making hasty or unfair judgments. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is commonly found in news, media, wiki, and scientific contexts. While its core meaning is straightforward, subtle variations can be achieved through alternative phrases like "avoid passing judgment" or "abstain from judging". When using this phrase, consider your audience and aim for a balance between formality and clarity to achieve the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid passing judgment

Replaces "refrain" with "avoid" and "judging" with "passing judgment", offering a slightly more direct tone.

abstain from judging

Substitutes "refrain" with "abstain", suggesting a more formal and deliberate choice to avoid judgment.

hold back on judging

Uses "hold back on" instead of "refrain from", providing a more casual and less assertive alternative.

resist the urge to judge

Emphasizes the internal struggle to avoid judging, adding a layer of psychological depth.

decline to judge

Indicates a conscious decision not to make a judgment, highlighting the element of choice.

forego judgment

Offers a more concise and somewhat formal way to express the act of giving up judgment.

suspend judgment

Suggests temporarily postponing judgment, implying a later evaluation may occur.

not jump to conclusions

Focuses on avoiding premature judgments based on incomplete information.

avoid being judgmental

Shifts the focus to avoiding the state of being judgmental, rather than the act of judging.

show tolerance

Implies accepting others without judgment, emphasizing the positive aspect of understanding and acceptance.

FAQs

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

You can use "refrain from judging" to advise someone to avoid making hasty evaluations or criticisms. For example: "In discussions about sensitive topics, it's important to "refrain from judging" others based on their opinions."

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

You can use alternatives like "avoid passing judgment", "abstain from judging", or "hold back on judging" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "refrain from judging" or "refrain to judge"?

"Refrain from judging" is correct. The correct structure is "refrain from" + gerund (verb ending in -ing). "Refrain to judge" is grammatically incorrect.

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

While both phrases mean to not make judgments, ""refrain from judging"" often implies a conscious and deliberate effort to suppress the urge to judge, whereas "avoid judging" can simply mean not engaging in judgmental behavior without necessarily implying an internal struggle.