refrain from reacting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from reacting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to advise someone to hold back their response or emotional reaction to a situation. Example: "In order to maintain a calm atmosphere during the discussion, I encourage everyone to refrain from reacting impulsively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The standard model of response inhibition in go/no-go tasks assumes that inhibitory processes are reactively and selectively triggered by the stimulus that participants must refrain from reacting to.

Behavioural Brain Research

Geez, Laura, what were you thinking?" I learned long ago to refrain from reacting when fear starts jabbering on about failure.

Huffington Post

One way I practice being curious, is to commit to refrain from reacting (or exploding) for a period of time, it might be a day, an hour or perhaps for the duration of a difficult conversation.

Huffington Post

Respondents hereby learn when to react and when to refrain from reacting to gain reward and avoid punishment, respectively.

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Model this behavior yourself by refraining from reacting negatively towards individuals whose beliefs or opinions differ from yours.

WikiHow

The offended party refrains from reacting negatively to the wrong done to him.

SEP

The subjects had to react with the thumb depending on the direction of the central arrowhead and to refrain from responding to circles.

Plosone

So I usually refrain from taking my cue on the state of the economy strictly from how the stock market reacts to anything.

Huffington Post

Iraqi Shiites refrain from retaliating.

The New Yorker

He planned to refrain from the latter.

The New York Times

He may refrain from provocations in Georgia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from reacting" when advising someone to deliberately pause before responding, especially in emotionally charged situations to ensure a measured and thoughtful response.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from reacting" in situations where a simple "don't react" or "avoid reacting" suffices. This phrase is best suited for scenarios requiring a high degree of self-control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from reacting" functions as an imperative construction or a recommendation, urging someone to exercise control over their responses. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts requiring thoughtful inhibition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrain from reacting" is a grammatically correct expression that advises against immediate or impulsive responses. As Ludwig highlights, it's applicable in various contexts, from scientific studies to everyday advice. While "Rare" in overall frequency, its use is most prominent in "News & Media" and "Science". When using the expression, consider alternatives like "avoid reacting" or "inhibit a reaction" to add nuance. Remember to avoid overuse in common/neutral conversation where a simple "don't react" will be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhibit a reaction

This alternative focuses on suppressing the reaction itself, rather than the act of reacting.

suppress the response

This alternative emphasizes actively holding back or preventing a response from occurring.

hold back from responding

This alternative suggests a more deliberate and conscious effort to resist responding.

avoid reacting

This option is a general recommendation to not react, without specifying the method of restraint.

control your reaction

This emphasizes managing and directing one's response, implying a degree of influence.

curb the impulse to react

This highlights the immediate urge or instinct that needs to be controlled.

check your response

This implies a need to evaluate one's reaction before expressing it.

temper your reaction

This suggests moderating the intensity of one's response.

resist reacting

This highlights the act of actively fighting against the urge to react.

forego a reaction

This alternative implies intentionally choosing to not react, often for strategic reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "refrain from reacting" to advise someone to avoid an immediate or impulsive response. For example, "During a heated debate, it's crucial to refrain from reacting defensively".

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

You can use alternatives like "avoid reacting", "inhibit a reaction", or "suppress the response" depending on the context.

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

It's best to use "refrain from reacting" when you want to emphasize the need for conscious control over one's immediate response, particularly in stressful or provocative situations.

Is there a difference between "refrain from reacting" and "refrain from responding"?

While similar, "refrain from reacting" often implies controlling an emotional or instinctive response, while "refrain from responding" is more general and can refer to any type of reply or answer.