refrained from pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refrained from pursuing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone chose not to engage in a particular action or course of action. Example: "Despite the tempting offer, she refrained from pursuing the opportunity further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In the years after the invasion, General McChrystal concentrated on defeating Sunni insurgents, and, like other American commanders in Iraq, he largely refrained from pursuing Quds Force agents.

The New Yorker

Why deal with Alabama or Arizona when you can build in North Carolina or Florida, states that have refrained from pursuing extreme anti-immigrant measures?

The New York Times

We simply refrained from pursuing with vigor aspects of the program that had been laid out in prior memos". Under questioning by Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich). during the second day of hearings, Malek admitted that a memo written by him did suggest that people who were not Nixon's supporters be punished in some way.

The Washington Post

Justice Department lawyers said in the brief that they had refrained from pursuing the iOS source code and signing key because they thought "such a request would be less palatable to Apple.

Huffington Post

We refrained from pursuing such inhibitor experiments because it was not possible to obtain any commercially available Family 18 specific inhibitors, and it could not be guaranteed that they would be specific for the symbionts's chitinase.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The official said the Palestinians understood that to mean that they should refrain from pursuing claims against Israel in international agencies like the International Criminal Court.

The New York Times

* What's at stake in Wisconsin: Tea Party groups who are organizing in the state worry that a Dem victory will make other GOP governors go all weak-kneed and refrain from pursuing their own Walker-esque union busting policies.

The Washington Post

The United States cannot expect both to maintain a threat to overthrow unsavoury regimes and to have those regimes refrain from pursuing the technology that might deter forcible regime change.Alex WeisigerNew YorkWeapons at workSIR – I object to your use of the derogatory term "gun nuts"("Loaded debate", March 12th).

The Economist

On this reading Hume's skeptical principles commit him to the view that human understanding is weak and imperfect and, so considered, we should avoid all dogmatism and also refrain from pursuing our investigations beyond the narrow sphere of "common life".

SEP

She returns his love, but prudence prevails and they refrain from pursuing an affair.

Huffington Post

The Harvey Road Board decided to refrain from pursuing the matter until World War II had concluded.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refrained from pursuing" to indicate a conscious decision to avoid a particular course of action, especially when alternatives were available or considered.

Common error

Avoid using "refrained from pursuing" in overly casual contexts; simpler phrases like "didn't do" or "avoided" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrained from pursuing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate decision to not proceed with or engage in a particular action or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to describe a conscious choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refrained from pursuing" signifies a conscious decision to not proceed with a specific action or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. While versatile, it is more commonly encountered in formal writing and news reports than in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "avoided pursuing" or "chose not to pursue" for less formal situations. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a deliberate choice to abstain from a defined course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstained from pursuing

Indicates a voluntary holding back, similar to refraining, but can imply a moral or ethical reason.

desisted from pursuing

Suggests a more formal and deliberate cessation of action.

avoided pursuing

Implies an effort to stay away from a particular path or action.

chose not to pursue

Directly states the decision not to follow a certain course.

declined to pursue

Indicates a formal refusal to engage in something.

did not proceed with

Focuses on the lack of continuation with a plan or action.

halted the pursuit of

Emphasizes the stopping of an ongoing effort.

suspended the pursuit of

Suggests a temporary cessation of an action.

ceased to pursue

Implies a complete and permanent stop to an action.

opted out of pursuing

Highlights the choice to not participate in a particular activity or endeavor.

FAQs

What does "refrained from pursuing" mean?

It means that someone consciously chose not to engage in or continue with a particular action or goal. It implies a deliberate holding back.

When is it appropriate to use "refrained from pursuing"?

It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts where you want to emphasize a conscious decision to avoid something. However, simpler terms might be preferable in very casual situations.

What are some alternatives to "refrained from pursuing"?

You can use alternatives like "abstained from pursuing", "avoided pursuing", or "chose not to pursue" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "refrained from pursuing" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and follows standard English grammar rules. It's a valid and understandable phrase as also confirmed by Ludwig.