restrain myself

USAGE SUMMARY

"restrain myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to holding back from saying or doing something. For example: "After reading the angry email, I had to restrain myself from replying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I can't restrain myself.

The New Yorker

I restrain myself.

The New Yorker

I've had to restrain myself.

The New York Times

Why did I restrain myself?

The New Yorker

I'm trying to restrain myself here.

The New Yorker

I restrain myself from telling Claire this.

The Guardian - Books

BUT I'd restrain myself the second time.

The New York Times - Travel

Mostly I restrain myself from talking about it.

The Guardian

I have to restrain myself or I'll lose my job.

The New York Times

I laboured to restrain myself and maintain calmness.

The Guardian - Opinion

I can't … I'm so … I can't restrain myself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "restrain myself" to show conscious effort in controlling emotions or actions, especially in situations where you feel a strong urge to react.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. More precise or sophisticated language might be preferable. Consider using alternatives like "exercise self-control" or "practice restraint".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrain myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the subject (I) is also the object of the verb. It indicates a deliberate act of controlling one's own actions or emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English. The given examples show it is used in situations where one feels the urge to do something but actively prevents it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "restrain myself" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of consciously controlling one's actions or emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. The phrase is very common, particularly within news and media sources, and implies a deliberate effort to suppress a reaction or impulse. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, opting for more formal alternatives like "exercise self-control" in certain settings. Related phrases offer similar meanings with varying emphasis, allowing for nuanced expression of self-control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold myself back

A more general term for preventing oneself from acting.

control my impulses

Focuses specifically on managing sudden urges or desires.

moderate my actions

Highlights the act of keeping your actions in check.

keep my composure

Emphasizes maintaining a calm and collected demeanor.

suppress my feelings

Directly refers to containing one's emotional expression.

bite my tongue

Specifically refers to avoiding saying something one wants to say.

inhibit my reaction

Relates to preventing a spontaneous response.

curb my enthusiasm

Implies limiting excitement or eagerness.

check my behavior

Focuses on monitoring and adjusting one's actions.

keep a lid on it

An informal way to describe keeping something secret or supressing an emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "restrain myself" to indicate that you are making a conscious effort to control your actions or emotions. For example, "I had to restrain myself from laughing at his joke" or "I tried to restrain myself from eating the entire cake".

What is a more formal alternative to "restrain myself"?

In more formal contexts, you might consider using phrases like "exercise self-control", "practice restraint", or "inhibit my reaction".

Is it grammatically correct to say "restrain myself"?

Yes, "restrain myself" is grammatically correct. It's a reflexive verb phrase where the action of restraining is directed back to the speaker.

What's the difference between "restrain myself" and "control myself"?

While similar, "restrain myself" often implies a more immediate or difficult effort to hold back, whereas "control myself" can suggest a more general ability to manage one's behavior or emotions over time.