refrain from stating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrain from stating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid expressing or mentioning something specific. Example: "In sensitive discussions, it is often best to refrain from stating personal opinions that may lead to conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Not only do people like Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, refrain from stating which specific national interest such stifling behavior might serve, they do not even deem it necessary to attempt to defend their abjuration of a fundamental American liberty.

The New York Times

Maybe those journalists should also refrain from stating their opinions at dinner parties.

TechCrunch

Scientists may accept or reject a theory based upon the evidence provided, but scientists tend to refrain from stating that they believe in a theory.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

However, the providers refrain from stating whether the customer can configure partially a perimeter firewall this way or a hypervisor-based firewall.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

In this case, however, we lack a set of documents to corroborate the current allegations, so we'll refrain from stating that the full CNET report is correct in every aspect.

TechCrunch

Rising women leaders from government, companies, non-profits and multilateral agencies were asked to refrain from stating their titles, and instead were asked share what it is that they love to do... outside of work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Eisenhower himself provided an affidavit for the defense stating that the order had been issued and then withdrawn, but he carefully refrained from stating whether he would have approved or cancelled any reprisal order.

Harvard University

Refraining from stating this loudly and clearly, and allowing Congress to slip off the hook, has been a puzzling and self-defeating strategy, leading to the crippling sequester and the politics of chronic debt-ceiling crisis.

The New York Times

In his written report, Admiral Clark noted that the Navy's investigation was not authorized to assess the accountability of those in the chain of command beyond the Cole itself, and he explicitly refrained from stating his own judgments.

The New York Times

Because of the complexity of this issue and our still-limited data, however, we have refrained from stating outright that C-MAD2 is more thermodynamically stable than O-MAD2.

eLife

Russian officials refrain from publicly stating their support for Crimean separatism, but Kremlin aide Sergei Glazyev described Ukraine last month as "schizophrenic" and said that Russia would support greater federalism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain from stating" when you want to advise someone to deliberately avoid expressing a particular idea or opinion, especially in sensitive situations.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "refrain from stating" in casual conversations; simpler phrases like "don't mention" or "avoid saying" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain from stating" functions as a directive or advisory expression, urging someone to avoid expressing something explicitly. It often appears in contexts where discretion or caution is advised, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain from stating" is a grammatically correct phrase used to advise or instruct someone to avoid expressing something explicitly. According to Ludwig, it's more suitable for formal and professional contexts, such as news reports, scientific papers, or business communications. While the phrase is correct, it's important to consider the register and use simpler alternatives like "avoid mentioning" in informal settings. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase the phrase's use in various situations where discretion and careful language are essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Avoid mentioning

Focuses on the act of avoiding any mention of something.

Abstain from declaring

Implies a deliberate choice not to formally declare something.

Decline to assert

Emphasizes a refusal to assert a particular point.

Forgo expressing

Highlights giving up the opportunity to express something.

Omit to mention

Focuses on the act of leaving something out.

Hold back from saying

Suggests a conscious effort to prevent oneself from speaking.

Keep from voicing

Emphasizes suppressing the expression of one's voice or opinion.

Pass over commenting

Suggests choosing not to comment on a specific topic.

Shy away from remarking

Implies hesitation or reluctance to make a remark.

Desist from articulating

Focuses on stopping oneself from articulating a thought or idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "refrain from stating" to advise someone to avoid expressing something. For example, "During the negotiation, it's best to refrain from stating your bottom line too early."

What are some alternatives to "refrain from stating"?

Alternatives include "avoid mentioning", "abstain from declaring", or "decline to assert", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "refrain from stating" or "avoid saying"?

"Refrain from stating" is generally more formal and suggests a deliberate and conscious effort to avoid expressing something, while "avoid saying" is more general and can apply to both intentional and unintentional omissions.

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

It's appropriate to use "refrain from stating" in formal settings, professional communications, or when providing specific instructions where careful and deliberate language is important. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable.