refrain yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"refrain yourself" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when someone is considering doing something that you don't believe they should, as a polite way of asking them to not do it. For example: "I know you want to react to the bad news, but please refrain yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But, if he's talking about being wasted at a party you most definitely weren't at, despite how irresistibly cute his tweet is, refrain yourself and save it for the party you actually are invited to.

WikiHow

Refrain yourself from walking to the mat with the dog.

WikiHow

Refrain yourself from using heated tools too much within a week.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Avoid forcing or striving and refrain from pushing yourself.

The New York Times - Health

Sure, it would be better to refrain, but bashing yourself constantly for not doing so isn't helpful.

Huffington Post

Inserting yourself in the conversation Whether someone is sharing an intimate moment, a tragic incident, or an everyday occurrence, refrain from inserting yourself into the conversation.

HuffPost

Solutions: According to Taylor, the simple tactic is to be a beacon of calm and to refrain from overreacting yourself to events and circumstances.

Huffington Post

You must consciously refrain from embarrassing yourself and your host.

WikiHow

The same goes for yourself; refrain from drinking till you're drunk.

WikiHow

Try to refrain from restricting yourself with conventional knowledge of music and instead let your mood guide the music.

WikiHow

However, it is also important that you know your limits and refrain from pushing yourself past them in order to achieve your goal.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrain yourself" in situations where a polite but firm suggestion against a particular action is needed. It is suitable for both writing and speech but ensures it fits the overall tone.

Common error

Avoid using "refrain yourself" in very casual settings where simpler alternatives like "stop yourself" or "don't" are more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound unnatural or stilted in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrain yourself" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or advising someone to exercise self-control and cease or avoid a particular action. Ludwig AI highlights instances where it's used to suggest avoidance of certain behaviors or reactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refrain yourself" is a grammatically correct but relatively infrequent imperative phrase used to advise self-control, as per Ludwig's analysis. Predominantly found in contexts like online guides and news articles, it carries a neutral to polite tone, suitable for instructing or advising against particular actions. When employing this phrase, aim for settings where a respectful yet firm directive is appropriate, and avoid overusing it in overly informal situations where simpler alternatives are more suitable. The Ludwig AI examples showcase its application in various contexts, offering practical guidance for its correct and effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Restrain yourself

Implies using force of will to keep oneself from acting impulsively.

Control yourself

Emphasizes exerting direct control over one's actions or emotions.

Stop yourself

Directly indicates halting an action or behavior in progress.

Practice self-restraint

Highlights the ongoing effort to control one's impulses and desires.

Hold yourself back

Suggests preventing oneself from doing something, often implying a struggle.

Keep yourself in check

Suggests maintaining awareness and control over one's behavior.

Inhibit yourself

Focuses on suppressing or limiting one's behavior or expression.

Temper your reaction

Advises moderating one's emotional response to a situation.

Curb your enthusiasm

Specifically targets reducing excitement or eagerness.

Avoid doing that

Offers a simple and direct way to suggest not performing a specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "refrain yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "refrain yourself" to politely suggest that someone should stop themselves from doing something. For example, "Please refrain yourself from making unnecessary comments."

What's a less formal alternative to "refrain yourself"?

Less formal alternatives include "stop yourself", "control yourself", or simply "don't", depending on the context and your audience.

Is it better to say "refrain from" or "refrain yourself"?

"Refrain from" is typically followed by a verb, while "refrain yourself" is a more direct command to stop an action. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "refrain yourself" in writing?

It is appropriate in situations where you want to give a polite, yet firm, instruction. This might be in formal correspondence, guidelines, or instructions where maintaining a respectful tone is important.