try to refrain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to refrain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid doing something or to hold back from a particular action. Example: "I would appreciate it if you could try to refrain from interrupting during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll try to refrain.

The New York Times

The reviewer will try to refrain from similar tactics, please.

The New York Times

Try to refrain from adding a lot of salt to your food.

Columbia University

This product has a salty, soupy texture that is oddly satisfying (try to refrain from tasting).

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Please try to refrain from beginning your message with "hey idiot" or using other offensive statements anywhere in the message.

University of California, Berkeley

Be supportive of their own investigation and analysis of problems and solutions, but try to refrain from making decisions for them.

Cornell University

And the very top targets, such as the late Osama bin Laden and his closest colleagues, try to refrain from any electronic communication at all.

The New Yorker

Ms. Bishop and her friends like to play guitar and sing, though they try to refrain from doing so late at night.

The New York Times

"I try to refrain from making more chairs to put in magazines after the fair -- I've done enough of it," he said.

The New York Times

I'm also going to try to refrain from banging my head upon my keypad whilst whimpering the word, 'help.' Wish me luck.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to refrain" in writing, be specific about the action you are advising against. Clarity ensures the message is easily understood.

Common error

While "try to refrain" is generally acceptable, excessively using it in formal documents can sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "endeavor to avoid" or "seek to prevent" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to refrain" primarily functions as an imperative, often used to advise or request someone to avoid a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase sets a tone of gentle encouragement or polite instruction, as demonstrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to refrain" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to advise or request someone to avoid a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's suitable for both formal and informal settings. High-frequency occurrences in news and media, academic, and wiki sources indicate its wide acceptance. Remember to use it clearly and specifically in your writing, and consider diversifying your language in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to abstain

Emphasizes a deliberate effort to hold oneself back.

endeavor to avoid

Highlights the effort made to keep away from something.

make an effort to resist

Focuses on actively fighting against an urge or temptation.

seek to prevent oneself

Formal and emphasizes personal agency in stopping an action.

aim to hold back

Implies a conscious goal to restrain oneself.

strive to abstain

Highlights the effort required for abstention.

do your best to avoid

Offers a less formal and more encouraging tone.

take steps to evade

Suggests planning and action to steer clear of something.

work on desisting

Emphasizes ongoing effort towards stopping an action.

try to keep from

A more casual way of expressing the attempt to avoid something.

FAQs

How can I use "try to refrain" in a sentence?

Use "try to refrain" to advise someone to avoid a specific action. For example, "Please "try to refrain" from interrupting during the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "try to refrain"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to abstain", "endeavor to avoid", or "make an effort to resist" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "tried to refrain" instead of "try to refrain"?

Yes, "tried to refrain" is the past tense form and is correct when describing a past action. "Try to refrain" is used for present or future advice.

What is the difference between "try to refrain" and "try to avoid"?

While similar, "try to avoid" is a more general recommendation to keep away from something, whereas ""try to refrain"" implies holding oneself back from a specific action or behavior.