try to refrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to refrain from" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest or advise someone to avoid doing something. For example: "I suggest that you try to refrain from making any hasty decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Most horse owners, in an effort to appear rational, try to refrain from talking about how deeply they love their animals or from telling cute stories about them.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to refrain from", ensure the context suggests a recommendation or gentle suggestion rather than a strict prohibition. This phrase is ideal for offering advice without being overly assertive.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "try to refrain from" in highly formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "endeavor to avoid" or "make an effort to abstain from" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to refrain from" functions as a polite imperative or suggestion. It is used to advise or encourage someone to avoid a specific action, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to refrain from" is a versatile phrase used to offer polite advice or suggestions, encouraging the avoidance of a specific action. It is deemed grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and general writing. While alternatives exist to add variety, "try to refrain from" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established and widely understood, making it a useful tool for nuanced communication. Its high frequency and consistent usage in reputable sources highlight its reliability and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try not to

This is a shorter, more direct version, suitable for informal contexts.

make an effort to avoid

This alternative breaks down the original phrase into simpler components, focusing on the effort to avert something.

take care not to

This is a gentler, more cautionary way of advising someone to avoid something.

attempt to abstain from

This phrase introduces a more formal tone by using "abstain" instead of "refrain".

endeavor to resist

This option suggests a stronger internal struggle against something, using "resist".

do your best to evade

The inclusion of "do your best" adds emphasis on the effort required to evade.

make a conscious effort to not

This highlights the intentionality and awareness required to avoid something.

seek to evade

This implies actively trying to escape or sidestep something.

work to prevent yourself from

This phrase emphasizes the internal effort needed to stop oneself from doing something.

aim to steer clear of

This suggests navigating around something problematic, using a more figurative expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to refrain from" to politely advise someone to avoid a particular action. For example, "When discussing sensitive topics, "try to refrain from" making assumptions".

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

Alternatives include "try not to", "make an effort to avoid", or "take care not to", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "try and refrain from" instead of "try to refrain from"?

While "try and" is sometimes used colloquially, ""try to refrain from"" is the grammatically preferred construction in formal writing.

In what situations is "try to refrain from" most appropriate?

"Try to refrain from" is suitable when offering gentle guidance or suggestions, particularly in situations where a direct command might be perceived as rude or overbearing.