refrained from using

USAGE SUMMARY

"refrained from using" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to consciously choose not to use something or to stop oneself from using something. Example: The doctor refrained from using strong medication and instead recommended natural remedies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Very few of our families observed the dietary laws, or refrained from using electric lights on the Sabbath.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last month, Mr. Greenspan told Congress that the Fed was no longer worried about deflation and conspicuously refrained from using the word "patient".

The New York Times

Army units in downtown Cairo refrained from using force against the demonstrators, and in some cases soldiers and officers appeared to signal their solidarity with the crowds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a trip to Turkey this month, President Obama praised the two countries' efforts to overcome their differences and refrained from using the word "genocide" when pressed to reiterate his position on the matter.

The New York Times

We have thus, in this report, refrained from using inferential statistics and have only reported our results on this sample.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

And it is enshrined in our Constitution (which at least refrained from using the words "merciless savage" to describe Native Americans, as is found in the Declaration of Independence).

Huffington Post

The actors used lay language and refrained from using any jargon.

BMC Health Services Research

United States officials say there are several reasons Iraq has refrained from using poison gas.

The New York Times

But he has hitherto refrained from using the damning word "illegal".

The Guardian

He refrained from using them but left no doubt about their content.

The New York Times - Sports

Officers refrained from using batons, and resistance was, for the most part, peaceful.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional and diplomatic contexts, this phrase is excellent for describing restraint or neutrality.

Common error

A frequent mistake is following the verb with an infinitive, such as saying 'refrained to use'. The correct preposition is always 'from', followed by the gerund form 'using'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refrained from using" functions as a past tense verb phrase that describes the omission of an action. It consists of the intransitive verb 'refrain' in the past tense, the required preposition 'from' and the gerund 'using'. In Ludwig, it is frequently seen in the middle of sentences to explain why a certain outcome occurred or why a specific method was avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "refrained from using" is a robust and highly correct phrase in English, particularly favored in professional and academic writing. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used to describe a deliberate decision to avoid a specific action or tool for a greater purpose—whether that is maintaining neutrality in news reporting or ensuring the integrity of a scientific study. It conveys a sense of deliberate self-control that simpler alternatives like "avoided" may lack. When writing, remember that it must always be followed by the preposition 'from' and a gerund. It is a highly reliable choice for anyone looking to convey a sense of professional discipline or careful methodology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstained from using

Adds a sense of moral, ethical or health-related commitment to the avoidance.

avoided using

A more common and less formal way to describe steering clear of something.

opted not to use

Highlights the active decision-making process behind the choice.

eschewed the use of

Typically used in academic contexts to describe the deliberate rejection of a method.

withheld from using

Implies a temporary or cautious restraint rather than a permanent avoidance.

did not utilize

A dry, professional alternative often found in technical or business reporting.

resisted using

Suggests a desire or pressure to use something that was successfully overcome.

forbore from using

A highly formal and slightly archaic variant emphasizing patience or self-control.

steered clear of using

An idiomatic expression suggesting a conscious effort to stay away from something potentially problematic.

shunned using

Implying a strong or even social rejection of the item or method being used.

FAQs

How to use "refrained from using" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an intentional choice to stop oneself from an action. For example: "The mediator "refrained from using" inflammatory language during the negotiation."

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

Depending on the tone, you could use "<a href="/s/abstained+from+using" target="_blank" rel="alternative">abstained from using" for a more formal tone or "<a href="/s/avoided+using" target="_blank" rel="alternative">avoided using" for general situations.

Which is correct: "refrained from using" or "refrained to use"?

"refrained from using" is the only correct form. In English, the verb 'refrain' requires the preposition 'from' rather than an infinitive.

What is the difference between "refrained from using" and "resisted using"?

While both imply avoidance, "<a href="/s/resisted+using" target="_blank" rel="alternative">resisted using" implies there was a temptation or urge to use something, whereas "refrained from using" focus more on the act of self-restraint itself.