refrain from saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid expressing a particular thought or statement. Example: "In sensitive discussions, it is often best to refrain from saying anything that could be misinterpreted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

So now I refrain from saying things like that".

The New York Times - Health

The etiquette of the court made Smith refrain from saying anything.

The New Yorker

I refrain from saying things go back to normal, because obviously normal wasn't good enough".

The New York Times - Arts

The patient couldn't refrain from saying something sarcastic to the receptionist on his way out.

The New Yorker

"I will indeed refrain from saying, today, that there's no one left in Timbuktu," Colonel Burkhard said.

The New York Times

How can you refrain from saying anything about the part the Egyptians are playing in maintaining this entrapment of the Palestinians when your "brothers" have now reached power?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

If everyone could, say, refrain from, say...gratuitously hurting each other's feelings on social networks, these matters can be avoided in the future.

Huffington Post

I think I will refrain from said activity due to the fact that I am standing firm with the whole monogamy thing.

Huffington Post

But she refrained from saying anything negative about Mr. West.

The New York Times - Arts

But he refrained from saying where the weapons were located.

The New York Times

Regulators have refrained from saying there has been any significant abuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from saying" when you want to emphasize a conscious decision to avoid making a specific statement, often to maintain decorum or prevent conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain from saying" in very informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "not say" or "avoid mentioning" may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from saying" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of withholding or suppressing a verbal expression. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase is used in situations requiring tact or discretion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refrain from saying" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a conscious decision to avoid expressing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles and professional settings. While "abstain from mentioning" and "avoid stating" offer similar meanings, "refrain from saying" specifically highlights the act of holding back a verbal expression. Remembering this can help you use the phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstain from mentioning

Replaces "saying" with "mentioning", focusing on avoiding the act of bringing something up.

avoid stating

Uses "avoid" instead of "refrain", and "stating" instead of "saying", emphasizing the prevention of making a formal declaration.

hold back from expressing

Emphasizes the suppression of outward communication using "hold back" and "expressing".

keep from voicing

Focuses on preventing audible expression, using "voicing" as a substitute for "saying".

decline to comment

Indicates a formal refusal to provide information or an opinion.

remain silent about

Shifts the focus to maintaining silence on a particular topic.

suppress the urge to speak

Highlights the internal struggle and effort to control one's speech.

bite your tongue

An idiomatic expression for stopping oneself from saying something, often due to politeness or potential conflict.

swallow your words

Implies forcibly preventing oneself from speaking, often due to regret or realizing the inappropriateness of the statement.

think twice before speaking

Suggests careful consideration before uttering something, emphasizing caution and potential consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "refrain from saying" to indicate a deliberate choice not to express something. For example, "During the meeting, I had to "refrain from saying" what I really thought."

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

"Refrain from saying" suggests a more conscious and deliberate effort to hold back, while "avoid saying" implies a general tendency to not express something. You might "refrain from saying" something specific in a particular situation, but you might generally "avoid saying" things that are controversial.

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

Alternatives include "abstain from mentioning", "avoid stating", or "hold back from expressing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "refrain to say" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "refrain from saying". The verb "refrain" requires the preposition "from" when followed by a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing).