would refrain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would refrain from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a decision or intention to avoid doing something in a polite or formal manner. Example: "In order to maintain a positive atmosphere, we would refrain from discussing controversial topics during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In fact, I would refrain from entertaining at all.

The New Yorker

The son said he would refrain from doing so.

The New York Times

Turkey would refrain from indicting any Israelis involved in the operation.

The New York Times

Palestinian university officials said they could not guarantee that their students would refrain from protest.

The New York Times

After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling.

The Washington Post

For his part, Mr. Gore said today that his campaign would refrain from attacks.

The New York Times

Mr Netanyahu said in a televised address that Palestinian militants "presumed that I would refrain from acting forcefully against them.

Independent

The couple said they would refrain from further comment in order not to harm the judicial process.

The New York Times

"Are there times when we would refrain from writing about a young victim to protect his or her privacy?

The New York Times

I asked Assange if he would refrain from releasing information that he knew might get someone killed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Moreover, Topalov would "...refrain from shaking hands with Mr Kramnik before the games".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would refrain from" when aiming for a formal or polite tone, especially in professional or academic writing. It indicates a conscious and deliberate decision to avoid a particular action.

Common error

Avoid using "would refrain from" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "would avoid" or "won't do" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would refrain from" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a conditional intention or decision to avoid a particular action. It expresses a commitment not to do something, often in a polite or formal context. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would refrain from" is a modal verb phrase that indicates a deliberate and often formal decision to avoid a particular action. It is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig. This phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts, suggesting its suitability for formal and professional communication. While effective in conveying restraint, it's important to use simpler alternatives like "would avoid" in informal settings. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's versatility and its role in expressing intention and commitment to avoid specific behaviors. Related phrases such as ""would abstain from"" and ""would avoid"" provide semantically similar options for varying the tone and emphasis of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would abstain from

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to not participate or engage in something.

would avoid

Indicates a general intention to keep away from something.

would abstain from doing

Similar to "would abstain from", but explicitly includes the action being avoided.

would desist from

Suggests a formal or determined cessation of an action.

would hold back from

Implies a conscious effort to restrain oneself.

would keep from

Indicates an effort to prevent oneself or others from doing something.

would forbear from

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "would refrain from".

would decline to

Indicates a polite refusal to do something.

would evade

Implies skillfully avoiding something, often with a sense of cleverness.

would shun

Suggests deliberately avoiding something due to dislike or disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "would refrain from" in a sentence?

"Would refrain from" is used to express a polite or formal intention to avoid doing something. For example, "In order to maintain a positive atmosphere, we "would refrain from" discussing controversial topics during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "would refrain from"?

Alternatives include "would abstain from", "would avoid", or "would decline to", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the reason for avoidance.

Is "would refrain from" suitable for informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "would refrain from" is generally too formal for casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "would avoid" or "won't do" are more appropriate in informal settings.

What's the difference between "would refrain from" and "would abstain from"?

Both phrases suggest avoiding something, but "would abstain from" often implies a more deliberate or principled decision, particularly in the context of refraining from something considered undesirable or harmful, whereas ""would refrain from"" simply suggests a conscious decision to avoid.