refrain from repeating

USAGE SUMMARY

"refrain from repeating" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of avoiding something. For example, you might write, "I must remind myself to refrain from repeating the same mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

On Friday night, the Russian Orthodox church repeated its criticism of the band's "blasphemous" protest, which it said displayed "crude hostility towards millions of people" but called on state authorities "to show mercy to the people convicted within the framework of the law, in the hope that they will refrain from repeating blasphemous actions".

The Guardian - Music

"To protect religious freedom and to avoid becoming inextricably and perpetually entangled in debates over the propriety of certain Catholic teachings and practices, the CAT should refrain from repeating this unfortunate mistake," said James Kelly of the Solidarity Centre for Law and Justice in a written submission.

The Guardian

The horrors that he recounts there are truly sickening and I shall refrain from repeating them here.

Journal of Chinese Studies

Yet, the acknowledgement of the death of people can serve as a constant example of past mistakes that future generations should refrain from repeating (Robins 2014).

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Do the journalists refrain from repeating what she says?

Los Angeles Times

The chamber's president asked her to refrain from repeating the incident, tenuously citing a law that forbids "eating or bringing food" to the Canadian Parliament. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Ms. Goldberg wisely refrains from repeating the old Joni Mitchell chestnut (literally true as it may be) "We are stardust," but she does say emphatically, "The journey to the stars is truly a journey to the heart of what we are".

The New York Times - Arts

An administration official said that Mr. Zedillo had refrained from repeating the practice of his predecessors of ramping up the Mexican economy in an effort to have his party win the election.

The New York Times

And she has refrained from repeating warnings by the European Parliament and Cecilia Malmström, the commissioner for home affairs, that the EU might suspend two programmes for data-swaps on airline travellers (Passenger Name Record, or PNR) and money transfers (the Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme, or TFTP).

The Economist

Isn't it difficult to refrain from screaming, shouting and repeating our messages over and over again?

Huffington Post

This year, I will continue refraining from making or repeating partisan humor or making off-the-cuff remarks that politically savvy students could pick up on.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for concise and impactful writing, be mindful of opportunities to "refrain from repeating" information. Redundancy can dilute your message, so strive for clarity and efficiency.

Common error

While "refrain from repeating" is grammatically correct, overusing it, especially in formal writing, can make your tone sound overly cautious or bureaucratic. Opt for more direct alternatives like "avoid repeating" or "do not repeat" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from repeating" functions as a directive or advisory, urging the avoidance of reiteration. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it appears in contexts where emphasis is placed on avoiding redundancy or negative actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from repeating" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that advises against the repetition of actions or statements. Ludwig AI confirms its presence in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for professional or polite communication. When aiming for brevity or impact, consider alternatives like "avoid repeating" or "don't repeat". Remember to use "refrain from repeating" judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid sounding overly cautious. By understanding its usage and purpose, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing and speaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid repeating

Focuses on the act of avoiding, simplifying the original phrase by removing "from".

refrain from reiterating

Replaces 'repeating' with a synonym 'reiterating', slightly changing the complexity.

abstain from repeating

Uses a more formal synonym for "refrain", adding a layer of sophistication.

desist from reiterating

Replaces both "refrain" and "repeating" with synonyms, making it a more distinct alternative.

cease repeating

Directly states the cessation of repeating, offering a more concise option.

hold back from repeating

Emphasizes the act of holding oneself back, adding a sense of deliberate restraint.

skip repeating

Suggests omitting the repetition, a more casual phrasing.

don't repeat

Offers a direct, imperative form of the phrase, suitable for commands or strong suggestions.

avoid reiteration

Shifts the focus to avoiding the act of reiteration itself, rather than the action of repeating.

eschew repetition

Uses a more formal and literary term, "eschew", to avoid repetition.

FAQs

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

You can use "refrain from repeating" to advise someone to avoid saying or doing something again. For instance, "Please refrain from repeating that offensive joke" or "We should refrain from repeating the mistakes of the past".

What are some alternatives to "refrain from repeating"?

Some alternatives include "avoid repeating", "abstain from repeating", "desist from reiterating", or simply "don't repeat", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "refrain from repeating" formal or informal?

"Refrain from repeating" leans towards the formal side, but it's versatile enough for many situations. More casual options exist, like "avoid saying again", while "desist from reiterating" is even more formal.

When should I use "refrain from repeating" instead of "don't repeat"?

Use "refrain from repeating" when you want to sound polite or professional, especially in written communication. "Don't repeat" is more direct and suitable for casual conversations or when giving a clear instruction.