refrain from predicting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from predicting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to avoid making predictions or assumptions about a situation. Example: "In this uncertain market, it is wise to refrain from predicting future trends without sufficient data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The proposal by Ms. Levenson and Mr. Chemerinsky, framed as a voluntary measure to avoid any First Amendment problems, asks commentators to refrain from predicting the outcome of a trial or acting like a scorekeeper watching a sporting match.

The New York Times

This book describes what happened, considers the role of new media among frustrated youths and provides a wealth of data about the economies and demographics of the countries at the heart of the drama Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria and Yemen.The authors refrain from predicting the fate of the newly empowered Islamist movements, particularly in Egypt and Tunisia.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Laying out her plan to combat jihadists, Mrs. Clinton spoke of the gravity of the threat facing America but refrained from predicting doom.

The New York Times

Wisely, he refrains from predicting the outcome of Egypt's current political contest, which is pitting an amalgam of players who are oddly similar to those of the 1950s: a paranoid, military-dominated state, Islamists, liberals and anxious foreign powers.

The Economist

Cassidy refrains from predicting the winner, but notes that were he a betting man, he'd put money on the underdog Americans to upset the European team.

The New Yorker

It is a widely held belief that under certain circumstances prospective parents should refrain from procreating owing to the predicted plight of the would-be child.

SEP

As predicted from kin theory, workers refrain from activating their ovaries to lay eggs when the indirect fitness pay-off surpasses a conditional threshold [ 19].

BMC Systems Biology

Just refrain from testing?

The Washington Post

Iraqi Shiites refrain from retaliating.

The New Yorker

Many concerned individuals refrain from meaningful pro-environmental actions.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

He planned to refrain from the latter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dealing with uncertain situations, it's wise to "refrain from predicting" specific outcomes and instead focus on adaptable strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from predicting" as a justification for completely ignoring potential future scenarios; instead, acknowledge possibilities without claiming definitive knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from predicting" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of consciously avoiding making predictions. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from predicting" is a grammatically sound phrase used to advise against making forecasts, particularly in uncertain scenarios. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in News & Media and Science. While not extremely frequent, it is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts. Alternatives include "avoid making predictions" and "abstain from forecasting". Use it when cautioning against speculation rather than ignoring possibilities altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid making predictions

Emphasizes avoidance of prediction without necessarily implying restraint.

abstain from forecasting

Suggests a deliberate choice to not engage in forecasting.

hold off on predicting

Indicates a temporary postponement of making predictions.

decline to forecast

Formally refuses to make a prediction about a future event.

resist the urge to predict

Highlights the internal struggle and conscious effort to avoid prediction.

forgo making projections

Suggests a formal decision to not create projections.

shun predictive statements

Implies actively avoiding any statements that could be interpreted as predictions.

sidestep forecasting

Indicates indirectly avoiding the act of making predictions.

eschew predictions

A more formal way to say to avoid predictions, implying a moral or philosophical objection.

temper expectations

Focuses on moderating expectations rather than strictly avoiding predictions but achieves a similar effect.

FAQs

What does it mean to "refrain from predicting"?

To "refrain from predicting" means to deliberately avoid making forecasts or assumptions about future events, typically due to uncertainty or a lack of sufficient information.

When is it appropriate to "refrain from predicting"?

It's appropriate to "refrain from predicting" when dealing with highly volatile situations, complex systems with too many variables, or when one lacks sufficient data to make an informed forecast.

What are some alternatives to "refrain from predicting"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid making predictions", "abstain from forecasting", or "hold off on predicting" depending on the context.

Is "refrain from predicting" a formal expression?

While generally neutral, "refrain from predicting" leans slightly towards formal usage. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "avoid predicting" might be more suitable.