refrained from going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrained from going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a decision to avoid or abstain from attending an event or place. Example: "Despite the invitation, she refrained from going to the party due to prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He said Sheik Khatib had refrained from going into detail.

The New York Times

She refrained from going into her daughters' school.

The New York Times

Despite his neighborly instincts, he refrained from going over to offer his help or counsel.

The New Yorker

"Tommy's improved considerably since coming here," said McCarthy, who nevertheless refrained from going overboard about him afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

The Mitylenians accordingly refrained from going out to the temple at Malea, and moreover barricaded and kept guard round the half-finished parts of their walls and harbours.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On Friday morning, campaign aides held another call criticizing Mr. Gingrich (this time the topic was earmarks during his time in Congress), but Mr. Romney refrained from going after him at his events.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Even when swinging, she refrains from going after the crunching catharsis, preferring bright splayed musical colors and rolling, robust textures.

The New York Times - Arts

Beachgoers should also refrain from going into the water at all for at least two days after a heavy rain.

The New York Times - Travel

Specifically, Mr. Sarkozy said that France was asking its own companies "to refrain from going to Iran".

The New York Times

The big danger is that others now decide there is no incentive to refrain from going nuclear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Suppose the reason that I refrain from going to a party on Saturday night is because there are no parties available for me to go to.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrained from going" when you want to emphasize a conscious decision to avoid a particular action or location, often due to specific reasons or considerations.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "refrained from going" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "didn't go" or "chose not to go" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrained from going" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate decision to abstain from a specific action or location. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrained from going" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to express a deliberate decision to avoid a specific action or location. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English. While versatile, it tends to be slightly more formal than alternatives like "didn't go" or "chose not to go". Usage is most frequent in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as emphasizing abstention ("abstained from attending") or deliberate choice ("decided against going").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstained from attending

Indicates a conscious decision not to participate or be present.

chose not to attend

Highlights the element of choice in avoiding attendance.

decided against going

Emphasizes a deliberate decision to not proceed with the action of going.

avoided going to

Focuses on the act of keeping away from a specific place or event.

held back from attending

Suggests a restraint or hesitation in participating.

did not go

A simpler, more direct way of stating non-attendance.

stayed away from

Implies a deliberate distance was maintained.

kept from going

Indicates a restriction or barrier prevented attendance.

passed up the opportunity to go

Highlights the missed chance or choice to not take the opportunity.

declined to go

Formal way of saying that someone refused to go.

FAQs

What does "refrained from going" mean?

The phrase "refrained from going" means that someone consciously chose not to attend a place or event, often because of a specific reason or consideration.

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

You can use alternatives like "chose not to attend", "decided against going", or "abstained from attending" depending on the context.

Is "refrained from going" formal or informal?

"Refrained from going" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "didn't go" or "chose not to go" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "refrained from going" in a sentence?

You can use "refrained from going" to describe a deliberate decision to avoid something. For example: "Despite the invitation, she "refrained from going" to the party."