restrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

"restrain from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to refrain from or to not do something. Example sentence: "He resisted the temptation to drink alcohol by restraining from ordering a beer at the bar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I restrain from criticising or judging my characters.

The Guardian - Film

Secondly with Julia, whom she is unable to restrain from a disastrous marriage.

The Guardian - Film

They also had to restrain from hitting the button when one particular pattern appeared.

The New York Times - Health

Furthermore, in compliance with the Grupo Palmas Sustainability Policy, partners restrain from converting natural areas to expand their plantations.

Columbia University

As despicable as Sudan's regime is, the international community may wish to restrain from setting early deadlines for intervention.

The New York Times

To best achieve pollination it might be best to restrain from using pyrethroids during the period from white bud to bloom so as to reduce bee repellency.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Restrained from governing, he decided to guide.

The New Yorker

One delegate had to be physically restrained from attacking another.

The Guardian

"You are restrained from doing what you want to do".

The New York Times

She was restrained from removing it by a fellow member.

The New York Times

An attorney general was restrained from suing to recover penalties imposed by an unconstitutional statute.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restrain from", ensure the context clearly indicates the action being avoided, creating a clear understanding for the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "restrain from" in very informal settings can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "avoid" or "keep from" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrain from" functions as a prepositional phrase that often introduces a gerund, indicating the action that is being refrained from. Ludwig AI highlights its function in sentences where someone or something is holding back from a particular action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "restrain from" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of holding back or refraining from a particular action. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, exhibiting a neutral to formal register. While highly versatile, remember that less formal alternatives such as "avoid" might be more appropriate in casual settings. When writing, make sure that the context clearly indicates which action is being avoided, as this will maximize clarity for your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from

Similar in meaning and usage, emphasizing a deliberate choice to abstain.

abstain from

More formal, implying a voluntary avoidance, often related to habits or pleasures.

hold back from

Suggests an effort to control oneself from doing something.

stop oneself from

Emphasizes the personal effort in preventing an action.

avoid

A general term for keeping away from something, less specific than "restrain from".

prevent oneself from

Focuses on the act of stopping oneself from doing something.

keep from

Implies preventing oneself or others from doing something.

desist from

A more archaic and formal term for ceasing or refraining from an action.

forbear from

A more formal way to say refrain from.

inhibit oneself from

Highlights a psychological or internal barrier to action.

FAQs

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

You can use "restrain from" to indicate refraining from an action, such as "The organization asked its members to "refrain from" making any public statements."

What are some alternatives to "restrain from"?

Alternatives include "refrain from", "abstain from", or simply "avoid", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "restrain from doing" or "restrain from do"?

The correct form is "restrain from doing", as the action requires a gerund. For example, "They had to restrain him from leaving" is correct.

What's the difference between "restrain from" and "prevent from"?

"Restrain from" implies holding oneself back, while "prevent from" means stopping someone or something else. For example, "I had to restrain myself from laughing" versus "Locks prevent thieves from entering".