restrain from doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restrain from doing" is not correct in standard English; the correct form is "refrain from doing." You can use it when advising someone to avoid or abstain from a particular action.
Example: "Please refrain from using your phone during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, under this court order we're clearly restrained from doing anything at all in the way of strategic planning".

The New York Times - Arts

Buddhists should cultivate lovingkindness and compassion for everyone, even those guilty of the worst actions, and even while recognizing that some people need to be forcibly restrained from doing even more damage.

SEP

Specifically, thinking about using your muscles even when you're physically restrained from doing so.

Huffington Post

He, the beater-upper, had to restrain himself from doing true harm.

The New Yorker

His older sister, Tamara, would rush to fight his tormenters, or restrain him from doing so.

The New York Times - Sports

The ruler, therefore, should not try to make men good but only to restrain them from doing evil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I can't restrain myself from doing what we are here to do.' " Venediktov had no illusions about his interlocutor or about the meeting.

The New Yorker

It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest proper models of human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done.

The New York Times - Books

It's fine to be nervous and a little afraid about asking her whether she likes you or not, but it's not okay to let the fear completely take control of you and restrain you from doing what you want.

WikiHow

"And good luck while restraining yourself from doing anything".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the phrase "refrain from doing" to ensure grammatical correctness. This is the standard and widely accepted form.

Common error

Avoid using "restrain" when you mean to convey abstaining from an action. "Restrain" typically implies holding someone or something back physically, while "refrain" is used for abstaining from an action or behavior.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a verb phrase, expressing the idea of preventing or hindering an action. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the wording isn't standard English. The more acceptable form is "refrain from doing".

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "restrain from doing" might seem intuitive, it is not grammatically sound compared to "refrain from doing". As Ludwig AI points out, the latter is the preferred and correct form for expressing the idea of abstaining from an action. Using alternatives like "avoid doing" or "abstain from doing" can also help ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Always opt for "refrain from doing" in formal and professional contexts to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from doing

Uses the correct verb "refrain" which means to abstain from an action.

avoid doing

Focuses on evading or preventing an action from happening.

abstain from doing

Emphasizes a voluntary choice to not do something.

desist from doing

Highlights ceasing or stopping an action.

hold back from doing

Indicates a conscious effort to prevent oneself from acting.

keep from doing

Suggests preventing oneself or someone else from performing an action.

inhibit from doing

Emphasizes the hindering or slowing of an action.

prevent from doing

Focuses on making it impossible for an action to occur.

deter from doing

Suggests discouraging someone from performing an action through fear or doubt.

forbear from doing

Highlights patience or tolerance in avoiding an action.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "restrain from doing"?

The correct and more accepted way to express the idea of abstaining from an action is to use the phrase "refrain from doing".

When should I use "refrain from doing" instead of "restrain from doing"?

Use "refrain from doing" when you want to express that someone is abstaining or choosing not to do something. "Restrain" is more appropriate when referring to physically holding someone or something back.

What are some alternatives to "restrain from doing"?

Some alternatives include "avoid doing", "abstain from doing", or "desist from doing", all of which convey the idea of preventing oneself from performing an action.

Is "restrain from doing" grammatically correct?

While "restrain" can mean to keep under control, the more grammatically sound and widely accepted phrase for abstaining from an action is "refrain from doing". Ludwig AI also marks "restrain from doing" as not correct.