without refrain

USAGE SUMMARY

"without refrain" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is done without interruption or pause. For example, "She sang the song without refrain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Its standard form consisted in the 14th century of five stanzas of from 8 to 16 lines of equal measure, without refrain, but with an identical rhyme pattern in each stanza and an envoi using rhymes from the stanzas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the non-profit sector seeks to attract investors and partners and develop lasting relationships built on trust, organizations must communicate frequently and honestly about the state of their business -- sharing both the positive and the negative openly and without refrain.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Validation of a modification to the Nijmegen Bethesda assay for removing infused FVIII prior to inhibitor measurement has facilitated surveillance by allowing patients on prophylaxis and those recently treated to be tested without refraining from factor use.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Psalms were also sung without either refrain or alternating singers (direct psalmody).

Britannica

So wide was the margin between master and pupil, both in musculature and in technique, that Hemingway could without difficulty refrain from doing his opponent any damage.

The Guardian - Books

In 2008, however, it's almost impossible to hear the "Here come the girls" refrain without thinking of Boots' last Christmas ad campaign.

The Guardian - Music

And as soon as the prostitutes were released from jail, she said, they would go right back to work without protection; or refrain from carrying condoms at all, for fear of being arrested.

The New York Times

But it seemed a strangely naive project, unconscious of its shortcomings, illustrated perfectly when Sir Simon, introducing a version of "It Don't Mean a Thing," mimicked English schoolchildren singing that famous refrain without putting any swing on it.

The New York Times - Arts

And by character in leadership we mean just having the unusual capacity of being able to ask other people to refrain, without looking a prig or hypocrite while doing so.

BBC

What's listening to an oldie without a good refrain.

Huffington Post

It seems I can't open Twitter or look at Facebook or read a website without hearing that refrain.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without refrain" to describe actions or expressions that are delivered continuously and without any form of hesitation or interruption. It adds emphasis to the uninterrupted nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "without refrain" when you mean 'without complaint' or 'without difficulty'. "Without refrain" specifically indicates a lack of pause or interruption, not necessarily a lack of negativity or ease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without refrain" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It highlights that the action occurs continuously and without any hesitation or interruption, as showcased by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without refrain" signifies an action or expression performed continuously and openly, without any pause or hesitation. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage. It's most commonly found in news articles and encyclopedic content, emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of an event or statement. When using this phrase, it's important to consider alternative phrases like "without pause" or "continuously", and ensure that the context accurately reflects a lack of interruption rather than other qualities like ease or approval. Its proper use can add emphasis to descriptions of actions or expressions, underscoring their thoroughness and completeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without pause

Highlights the absence of breaks or pauses.

without holding back

Emphasizes the lack of restraint or concealment.

uninterruptedly

Focuses on the continuous nature of the action.

continuously

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity.

without reservation

Similar to 'unreservedly' but more explicit.

without inhibition

Emphasizes the absence of constraints or hesitations.

unreservedly

Shifts focus to the lack of reservations or limitations.

openly and honestly

Highlights the transparency and truthfulness.

freely and fully

Suggests unrestricted expression or action.

candidly

Focuses on straightforward and honest communication.

FAQs

How can I use "without refrain" in a sentence?

You can use "without refrain" to describe an action done continuously and without any hesitation or break. For example, "She spoke about her experiences "without refrain", sharing every detail of her journey".

What does "without refrain" mean?

"Without refrain" signifies an action or expression performed continuously, openly, and without any form of interruption or hesitation. It implies a complete lack of restraint in communication or action.

What are some synonyms for "without refrain"?

Synonyms for "without refrain" include "uninterruptedly", "without pause", or "continuously". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

In what contexts is "without refrain" best used?

"Without refrain" is well-suited for formal writing, narratives, or descriptive passages where you want to highlight the uninterrupted nature of an action or the complete openness of an expression. It is less common in casual conversation.