to refrain from doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to refrain from doing something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the act of deliberately avoiding or abstaining from a particular action or behavior. Example: "She decided to refrain from making any comments during the meeting to avoid escalating the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The word "secured" suggests an effort to obtain or achieve something: this can be read in contradistinction to a mere duty to refrain from doing something.

Columbia University

An injunction is an order that requires a defendant to refrain from doing something.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A "pledge" is defined as "a solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something".

Huffington Post

On the other face, it picks out a kind of reason for why agents (coercees) sometimes do or refrain from doing something.

SEP

The internalist believes that one may be able to knowingly do what is wrong because, all things considered, she cares more about something that is incompatible with refraining from wrongdoing, provided she is at least somewhat inclined to refrain from doing what she knows to be wrong.

SEP

(Gazprom has said it will try to refrain from doing so again this time).

The New York Times

So far, Mr Blair has managed both to do useful things and to refrain from doing too many foolish ones.

The Economist

Many people do not mind being asked either to pop a capsule regularly, or to refrain from doing so.

The Economist

Today, we're going to refrain from doing that.

TechCrunch

Try to refrain from doing it when there are groups of people.

WikiHow

Try to refrain from doing anything blatantly obvious, like talking on your phone, or texting someone.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to refrain from doing something" to indicate a conscious decision to avoid a particular action, especially when emphasizing self-control or adherence to a rule or guideline.

Common error

Avoid using "to refrain from doing something" in very casual conversations; simpler alternatives like "to avoid" or "to not do" may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to refrain from doing something" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as a complement within a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English, signaling its role in conveying intended meaning effectively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to refrain from doing something" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express a deliberate decision to avoid an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it is relatively uncommon. It's best suited for formal or semi-formal contexts where you want to emphasize self-control or adherence to a specific guideline. While versatile, consider simpler alternatives like "to avoid" or "to not do" in casual settings to maintain a natural tone. Key sources include The New York Times, Huffington Post, and academic publications, indicating a broad yet nuanced application of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to abstain from doing something

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to not engage in an action, often for moral or health-related reasons.

to avoid doing something

Focuses on preventing something from happening or keeping away from a particular action.

to desist from doing something

Implies a formal or official cessation of an action.

to forbear from doing something

Suggests patiently resisting the urge to do something.

to hold back from doing something

Highlights the act of restraining oneself from performing an action.

to keep from doing something

Focuses on preventing oneself from starting or continuing an action.

to not do something

Offers a direct and simple way to express the absence of an action.

to resist doing something

Implies actively opposing the urge or temptation to do something.

to decline to do something

Indicates a polite refusal to perform an action.

to cease doing something

Focuses on the act of stopping or discontinuing a particular activity.

FAQs

How can I use "to refrain from doing something" in a sentence?

You can use "to refrain from doing something" to express a deliberate choice to avoid a particular action. For example, "She decided "to refrain from making any comments" to avoid escalating the conflict".

What are some alternatives to "to refrain from doing something"?

Alternatives include "to abstain from doing something", "to avoid doing something", or simply "to not do something", depending on the desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "to refrain from doing something"?

It is appropriate in formal or semi-formal contexts where you want to emphasize a conscious and deliberate decision to avoid an action. It suggests a level of self-control or adherence to rules.

What's the difference between "to refrain from doing something" and "to avoid doing something"?

"To refrain from doing something" often implies a conscious effort to suppress an urge or follow a rule, while "to avoid doing something" simply means to keep away from or prevent something from happening.