refrained from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrained from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the idea of withholding from doing something, often because it is inappropriate or wrong. For example, "The protestors refrained from engaging in violence, instead using peaceful means to express their dissatisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Israel refrained from direct retaliation.

The Economist

Typically, Wasserstein refrained from commenting.

The New Yorker

He refrained from visiting Yasukuni.

The Economist

The White House refrained from customary congratulations.

The Economist

He refrained from criticizing the commission.

The New York Times

Officially, NATO refrained from any direct response.

The New York Times

That child refrained from lashing out.

The New York Times

The companies refrained from comment today.

The New York Times

He refrained from criticising his successor.

The Guardian

Wisely, he refrained from pressing the theory.

The Guardian

I refrained from judging him, half-consciously.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrained from" to indicate a deliberate decision not to do something, especially when there might have been a temptation or expectation to do it. This emphasizes the conscious effort of self-control.

Common error

Don't use "refrained from" when simply stating that something didn't happen. "Refrained from" implies a conscious decision to hold back. For example, instead of "He refrained from breathing", use "He didn't breathe" unless there's a specific context where he consciously held his breath.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrained from" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of self-control or avoidance. It shows a conscious decision not to engage in an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is standard and appropriate in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refrained from" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression indicating a deliberate choice to avoid a particular action. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in English. Its frequency is "very common", appearing across various contexts such as "News & Media", "Science", and "Encyclopedias", as identified in the provided data. While it carries a neutral to formal tone, it effectively conveys restraint and intentionality, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using "refrained from", remember that it implies a conscious effort, distinguishing it from simple avoidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Forbore from

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying 'refrained from'.

Abstained from

Implies a conscious and voluntary choice to avoid something, often related to voting or consumption.

Withheld from

Implies a deliberate act of holding something back, often information or an action.

Desisted from

Suggests stopping oneself from continuing an action, often implying a previous inclination to do so.

Eschewed

Suggests deliberately avoiding something due to moral or aesthetic reasons.

Avoided

A general term for keeping away from something, without necessarily implying a previous desire.

Held back from

Suggests restraining oneself, often due to external pressures or internal conflict.

Ceased from

Indicates stopping an action or behavior, often abruptly.

Kept from

Similar to 'held back', but can also imply preventing someone else from doing something.

Declined to

Emphasizes a polite refusal to do something, often a request or invitation.

FAQs

How can I use "refrained from" in a sentence?

Use "refrained from" to show a deliberate decision not to do something, often when there was an impulse or expectation to act. For example, "The politician "refrained from" commenting on the sensitive issue".

What's a more formal alternative to "refrained from"?

A more formal alternative is "forbore from". For instance, "The witness forbore from revealing the suspect's name until the police arrived".

Is there a subtle difference between "avoided" and "refrained from"?

"Avoided" generally means keeping away from something, whereas "refrained from" implies a conscious effort to suppress an urge or impulse. You might "avoided" a crowded street, but you ""refrained from"" shouting when angry.

What can I say instead of "I refrained from"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I desisted from", "I abstained from", or "I held back from". For example, "I I desisted from interrupting him, even though I disagreed".