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Discover LudwigThe phrase "was refraining" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is the past continuous tense form of the verb "refrain," which means to hold back or abstain from doing something. You can use this phrase when describing a past action that was ongoing at a specific time or for a specific period. Here is an example: I was refraining from eating sweets during the week, but I indulged in a slice of chocolate cake on the weekend. In this sentence, "was refraining" indicates that the speaker's action of not eating sweets was ongoing in the past, but it does not specify when it started or ended. It also implies that the action was not a one-time event and may have been repeated multiple times during the week.
Dictionary
Exact(4)
Mohammed Jaafar, a tribe member, said that the family was refraining from traditional revenge killings at Hezbollah's request — for now.
The article also reported that Mr. Corzine was refraining from debating Mr. Florio because he "is simply not yet ready to go head to head with him".
Welter said the foundation was refraining from calling the expansive exhibition space a museum in order to emphasise it is open to all cultural projects and art forms.
In our study, regular dental attendance and refraining from dental care due to dental fear or lack of time did also contribute to socioeconomic differences in poor self-rated oral health, but the most important factor was refraining from dental care for financial reasons.
Similar(56)
The subject was refrained from swallowing until prompted with the radioactive meal placed in the mouth.
"So for now we are refraining from sending them.
But the national Democratic Party is refraining from intervening in primaries.
Laguens said: "Police are refraining from listing a motive.
Women who don't negotiate may not be refraining because they are shy.
The state-run newspapers are refraining from publishing slogans like "Riots beget riots, not democracy".
Mr. Busin also said the rebels were refraining from using heavy weaponry to avoid civilian casualties.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com