refrain from mentioning

USAGE SUMMARY

"refrain from mentioning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something should not be spoken of, for various reasons. For example, you could say, "Let's refrain from mentioning politics at the dinner table tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I tried a few things I'll refrain from mentioning.

The New York Times

Let us refrain from mentioning what happened next, in case you're eating.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't think there is a rule of that, so I would like to refrain from mentioning the name.

The New York Times - Sports

Must (former) judicial office holders who wish to market themselves or their business refrain from mentioning their experience?

The Guardian

I was warned that if I didn't want to induce eye-rolling during interviews I should refrain from mentioning Yair Lapid.

The New Yorker

Within minutes, I was pulled aside by a Microsoft representative and informed that this weapon's existence would not be confirmed until later in the summer and could I please refrain from mentioning it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(Not one to pad a résumé, Jefferson refrained from mentioning, you know, his presidency).

The New York Times

He refrained from mentioning the fact that the king can dissolve an unco-operative parliament, and veto unhelpful bills.

The Economist

The experts tactfully refrained from mentioning the price then paid by the North American consignor — £53,900, around $112,600.

The New York Times - Arts

He refrained from mentioning at that point that the Lib Dems would raise more taxes than the Tories.

The Guardian

Of course, no one would claim that refraining from mentioning terrorists' names is enough to break the chain of imitation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from mentioning" when you want to politely or formally suggest that a topic should be avoided.

Common error

While "refrain from mentioning" is appropriate in formal settings, avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler phrases like "don't bring up" or "let's not talk about" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from mentioning" functions as a directive, urging someone to avoid speaking about a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It adds a layer of formality to a request for silence on a certain topic, as seen in the Ludwig examples involving sensitive or confidential information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrain from mentioning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves as a directive to avoid discussing a specific topic, often due to sensitivity or confidentiality. While versatile, its slightly formal tone makes it more suitable for professional and news contexts rather than casual conversations. Alternative phrases like "avoid bringing up" offer more informal options. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid bringing up

Replaces "refrain" with a more common verb, making the phrase slightly more informal.

abstain from discussing

"Abstain" adds a layer of formality compared to "refrain". "Discussing" implies a more in-depth conversation.

keep silent about

Emphasizes the act of remaining quiet, which can be due to various reasons.

omit to mention

"Omit" suggests a deliberate exclusion, which can be stronger than "refrain".

hold back from disclosing

Highlights the conscious decision to withhold information that one might otherwise reveal.

decline to specify

Shifts the focus to a refusal to provide details, implying a possible request for information.

not go into detail about

Focuses on limiting the amount of information shared, rather than avoiding the topic altogether.

pass over in silence

More figurative and emphasizes the act of ignoring something completely.

skirt around the issue

Indicates avoiding direct engagement with a topic rather than simply not mentioning it.

sidestep the topic

Similar to "skirt around", but emphasizes a maneuver to avoid a direct discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "refrain from mentioning" in a sentence?

You can use "refrain from mentioning" to politely suggest avoiding a topic, as in "Please "refrain from mentioning" his previous employment during the interview".

What does "refrain from mentioning" mean?

The phrase ""refrain from mentioning"" means to deliberately avoid speaking about something. It implies a conscious decision to not bring up a particular subject.

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

Alternatives include "avoid bringing up", "omit to mention", or "abstain from discussing", depending on the context.

Is it better to "refrain from mentioning" or "avoid mentioning"?

"Refrain from mentioning" is generally more formal than "avoid mentioning". Use "refrain" in professional or polite contexts, and "avoid" in more casual situations.