refrained from acting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrained from acting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone chose not to take action or intervene in a particular circumstance. Example: "Despite the chaos around him, he refrained from acting, believing it was best to let the situation resolve itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It doesn't follow that the agent wouldn't have refrained from acting maliciously if she had chosen not to act maliciously.

SEP

Today this Court has decided that a new application even in the old field of torts should not be made by adjudication, where Congress has refrained from acting.

Cornell University

Some of the most successful singers in the history of opera refrained from acting entirely — Pavarotti was most convincing as himself — but among the greatest of singers there have also been formidable actors and actresses, and Dessay, who calls herself a "singing actor," is the performer who best represents that tradition today.

The New Yorker

"We would prefer that some of our European colleagues refrained from acting unceremoniously over the Ukrainian crisis, when, without any kind of invitation, members of certain European governments rush to the Maidan [central square in Kiev], [to] take part in anti-government demonstrations in a country with which they have diplomatic relations," Lavrov told a news conference.

The Guardian

Congress has so far refrained from acting on Mr. Trump's demand.

HuffPost

The khaps had never worried before because their "political bosses refrained from acting against them.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

TechCrunch

Ascribing such duties potentially infringes the liberty persons otherwise enjoy to act and refrain from acting as they see fit so long as they do not affirmatively harm others.

SEP

Another distinction exists between a command addressed by legislation to the citizen, requiring him to act or to refrain from acting in a certain way, and a direction addressed to the administrative authorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They allow us to compartmentalise, to be conscious of the issues when there is little that we can do about them, and to forget them at the moment when we have the capacity to act (or to refrain from acting).

The Guardian - Opinion

A second problem is that God always does what is best, so God cannot refrain from acting on his judgment of what is best, and thus acts necessarily, which Clarke claims is a contradiction (D 83 86, W 571 573).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrained from acting" when you want to emphasize a deliberate decision not to intervene or take action, often implying a degree of self-control or strategic choice.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "refrained from acting" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "chose not to act" or "didn't act" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrained from acting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate choice not to take action. It implies a conscious decision to withhold intervention or participation in a particular situation. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refrained from acting" denotes a conscious decision to abstain from taking action, often implying self-control or a strategic choice. While grammatically sound and usable across various contexts, it leans towards a more formal tone, as indicated by Ludwig. Therefore, consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase. Ludwig also suggests that while the phrase is correct, simpler alternatives might be better suited for informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstained from action

Implies a deliberate choice not to participate or intervene.

desisted from acting

Suggests a conscious decision to cease or stop an action.

held back from acting

Emphasizes the effort required to suppress the urge to act.

stopped oneself from acting

Highlights the self-control involved in preventing an action.

chose not to act

A straightforward alternative, indicating a deliberate decision.

declined to act

Suggests a formal or official refusal to take action.

forbore to act

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

remained inactive

Focuses on the state of not being active rather than the act of refraining.

took no action

Simple and direct, emphasizing the absence of action.

passively observed

Implies watching without intervening, emphasizing a lack of involvement.

FAQs

What does "refrained from acting" mean?

The phrase "refrained from acting" means to deliberately choose not to take action or intervene in a particular situation, often implying a conscious decision or self-control.

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

You can use "refrained from acting" to describe someone's choice not to get involved. For example, "Despite the provocation, he "refrained from acting" aggressively."

What are some alternatives to "refrained from acting"?

Alternatives include "chose not to act", "abstained from action", or "desisted from acting". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "refrained from acting" formal or informal?

"Refrained from acting" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives such as "didn't act" or "chose not to" might be more appropriate.