to refrain from continuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to refrain from continuing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the idea of stopping or not proceeding with an action or behavior. Example: "After careful consideration, I have decided to refrain from continuing with the project at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I call on Israel to refrain from continuing on this dangerous path, which will undermine the prospects for a resumption of dialogue and a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In return, Mr. Marchionne asked that regulators refrain from continuing to describe the vehicles as defective.

The New York Times

refrain from continuing to download something if Norton says it is untrustworthy.

WikiHow

"Government lawyers * * * should also refrain from continuing litigation that is obviously pointless, that could easily be resolved, and that wastes Court time and taxpayer money.

Harvard University

Leaders of the militant Hamas group said today that their organization was continuing to refrain from suicide attacks inside the boundaries of pre-1967 Israel.

The New York Times

The European diplomats said in a joint statement that Iran had spurned all offers from the outside world for better relations in exchange for continuing to refrain from uranium enrichment activities.

The Washington Post

I have confidence that they will complete that pledge by releasing all other children within their ranks and by continuing to refrain from fresh recruitment of children.

Unicef

The statement continued, "In the meantime, we have asked the Falcons to continue to refrain from taking action pending a decision by the commissioner".

The New York Times - Sports

Hammond said the expectation was that Iran would continue to refrain from sensitive atomic activity.

Independent

It will continue to refrain from research and development activities in the country.

The Guardian

But for now, Dr. Harin will continue to refrain from talking politics at his favorite restaurant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to refrain from continuing" when you want to clearly and deliberately state the choice to discontinue an action, especially in formal or official contexts. It adds a layer of intentionality to the act of stopping.

Common error

Avoid using "to refrain from continuing" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "to stop" or "to avoid" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to refrain from continuing" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct. It typically follows a statement outlining conditions or reasons for choosing to stop an action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to refrain from continuing" is a grammatically correct phrase best suited for formal contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig. It communicates a deliberate choice to halt an action, often with an implication of restraint or imposed restriction. While usable, simpler alternatives are often more appropriate in casual settings. Examples curated by Ludwig demonstrate its usage in news, academic, and business contexts, offering a nuanced approach to expressing cessation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to abstain from proceeding

Emphasizes deliberate self-restraint from moving forward.

to cease the continuation of

Formal and emphasizes the act of stopping something that is already in progress.

to discontinue pursuing

Focuses on stopping the active chase or effort towards a goal.

to halt the furtherance of

Formal; highlights stopping the advancement or promotion of something.

to avoid going forward with

Suggests preventing future action rather than stopping current action.

to stop carrying on

Informal; implies ceasing an activity that is already happening.

to give up on proceeding

Implies a sense of defeat or resignation in stopping the progress.

to quit progressing

Directly states the act of stopping forward movement.

to not proceed any further

Emphasizes a decision to stop at a particular point and not advance.

to hold back from advancing

Suggests restraint or hesitation in moving forward.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "to refrain from continuing"?

This phrase is suitable in formal writing or speech when you want to emphasize a deliberate decision to stop an ongoing action. It's often used in legal, business, or official contexts.

What are some alternatives to "to refrain from continuing"?

You can use alternatives such as "to stop proceeding", "to discontinue", or "to avoid continuing" depending on the specific context.

Is "to refrain from continuing" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "to stop" or "to not continue" are generally more appropriate.

How does "to refrain from continuing" differ from "to stop"?

"To stop" is a more general term for ceasing an action. "To refrain from continuing" implies a conscious decision to hold back from something already in progress and suggests more self-control or imposed restriction.