- Do you ever feel unsure about which preposition to use with ‘refrain’?
- Are you looking for more natural ways to express avoiding certain actions or behaviors?
- Do you want to sound more fluent and precise when you talk about holding back or stopping yourself?
Mastering English collocations is a game-changer for fluency. Instead of translating word-for-word, collocations teach you natural word partnerships that native speakers use automatically. This article will help you confidently use Refrain Collocations, enhancing your vocabulary and making your English sound more authentic and sophisticated.
Common Collocations with Refrain as a Verb
The verb ‘refrain’ means to stop yourself from doing something, often due to a rule, a moral obligation, or self-control. It is almost always followed by the preposition ‘from’, which is then followed by a gerund (-ing verb) or a noun. This structure is crucial for accurate usage.
Refraining from Actions and Behaviors
These collocations describe common situations where someone holds back from a particular action, behavior, or habit.
- refrain from commenting
Meaning: To avoid making a statement or giving an opinion.
Example: The spokesperson chose to refrain from commenting on the ongoing investigation. - refrain from speaking
Meaning: To remain silent; to not say anything.
Example: During the formal ceremony, attendees were asked to refrain from speaking loudly. - refrain from interfering
Meaning: To avoid getting involved in a situation that does not concern you.
Example: It’s best to refrain from interfering in their personal disputes. - refrain from touching
Meaning: To avoid making physical contact with something.
Example: Please refrain from touching the delicate museum exhibits. - refrain from smoking
Meaning: To avoid smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products.
Example: The airline politely asks passengers to refrain from smoking on board. - refrain from drinking
Meaning: To avoid consuming alcoholic beverages (or sometimes any specific drink).
Example: For optimal performance, athletes should refrain from drinking sugary sodas. - refrain from eating
Meaning: To avoid consuming food (or sometimes specific types of food).
Example: Patients preparing for surgery must refrain from eating after midnight. - refrain from making noise
Meaning: To avoid creating loud sounds.
Example: Residents are requested to refrain from making noise between 11 PM and 7 AM. - refrain from speculation
Meaning: To avoid making guesses or theories without sufficient evidence.
Example: The police urged the public to refrain from speculation about the suspect’s motives. - refrain from violence
Meaning: To avoid aggressive or harmful physical actions.
Example: Demonstrators were advised to refrain from violence to maintain a peaceful protest.
Formal and Polite Requests with Refrain
The verb ‘refrain’ often appears in formal contexts, especially in official notices, rules, or polite requests, emphasizing a need to abstain from something.
- kindly refrain
Meaning: A polite way of asking someone not to do something.
Example: Guests are asked to kindly refrain from using flash photography. - strictly refrain
Meaning: To strongly emphasize that something is forbidden or must be avoided without exception.
Example: Employees are reminded to strictly refrain from sharing confidential company information. - must refrain
Meaning: Indicating a strong obligation or necessity to avoid an action.
Example: All attendees must refrain from using mobile phones during the exam. - urge to refrain
Meaning: To strongly advise or encourage someone to avoid doing something.
Example: We urge parents to refrain from sending their children to school if they show flu symptoms.
Master Summary: Essential Refrain Collocations
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| refrain from commenting | Verb + Preposition + Gerund | Avoid giving an opinion |
| refrain from speaking | Verb + Preposition + Gerund | Remain silent |
| refrain from interfering | Verb + Preposition + Gerund | Avoid getting involved |
| refrain from touching | Verb + Preposition + Gerund | Avoid physical contact |
| refrain from smoking | Verb + Preposition + Gerund | Avoid consuming tobacco |
| refrain from speculation | Verb + Preposition + Noun | Avoid making guesses without evidence |
| kindly refrain | Adverb + Verb | Polite request to stop an action |
| strictly refrain | Adverb + Verb | Strong emphasis on avoiding an action |
| must refrain | Modal + Verb | Obligation to avoid an action |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learning collocations helps you avoid direct translations that often sound awkward or incorrect to native speakers. Here are some common errors learners make with ‘refrain’.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| He refrained from speaking. | |
| Please refrain from touching. | |
| She refrained from commenting. | |
| They refrained from laughing. (The reflexive pronoun ‘themselves’ is usually unnecessary with ‘refrain’.) | |
| I will refrain from making noise. |
During the public meeting, the moderator began with a clear instruction: “We understand there are strong opinions, but we ask everyone to kindly refrain from interrupting the speakers. It is essential that we all refrain from making noise and allow each person to present their views. The committee also urges attendees to refrain from speculation regarding the proposed plans until more details are officially released. We must refrain from actions that could disrupt the constructive dialogue. Thank you for your cooperation.” Even though a few individuals seemed agitated, most managed to refrain from expressing their frustrations verbally.
Frequently Asked Questions about Refrain Collocations
What preposition always follows ‘refrain’?
The verb ‘refrain’ is almost always followed by the preposition ‘from’. This is a fixed collocation, and using any other preposition would sound incorrect in standard English.
Can ‘refrain’ be followed by an infinitive (to + verb)?
No, ‘refrain’ is never followed directly by an infinitive (e.g., “to do”). It must be followed by ‘from’ + a gerund (-ing form of a verb) or ‘from’ + a noun. For example, ‘refrain from smoking’ (gerund) or ‘refrain from alcohol’ (noun).
Is ‘refrain oneself’ grammatically correct?
While ‘refrain oneself from’ is occasionally heard, it’s generally considered redundant and less common in modern English. The verb ‘refrain’ already implies that you are stopping yourself. Therefore, it’s more natural and concise to simply say ‘refrain from’, as in ‘I had to refrain from laughing.’
What is the difference between ‘avoid’ and ‘refrain’?
Both ‘avoid’ and ‘refrain’ mean to keep away from something, but ‘refrain’ carries a stronger connotation of conscious self-control or holding back, often due to a rule, politeness, or discipline. ‘Avoid’ can be more general, referring to simply staying away from something or circumventing it. ‘Refrain’ is typically followed by ‘from + gerund/noun’, while ‘avoid’ is followed directly by a gerund or noun.
In what contexts is ‘refrain’ most commonly used?
‘Refrain’ is often used in formal contexts, public notices, official requests, and polite warnings. You’ll frequently see it in signs (e.g., “Please refrain from littering”) or hear it in speeches and formal discussions when someone is asked to consciously abstain from an action or behavior.
Can ‘refrain’ be used impersonally?
Yes, ‘refrain’ can be used impersonally, especially in official or general instructions. For example, “It is advisable to refrain from consuming raw seafood.” Here, ‘it’ stands for the general situation, and the instruction applies to anyone concerned.
Is there any situation where 'refrain' can be used without 'from' immediately following? Or is it always 'refrain from...'?
That's a good question for exploring usage, Han! 'Refrain' is almost always followed by 'from' when it means to hold back from an action. The only exception would be in very specific, poetic, or archaic contexts where 'refrain' might refer to a recurring line in a song or poem, but that's a different meaning of the word entirely. For the verb meaning 'to hold back,' always expect 'from' to follow.
I'm working on my business English, and I think 'refrain from commenting' will be particularly useful in meetings when I need to be diplomatic. Thanks for this practical insight!
This article cleared up so much confusion for me! Before, I'd sometimes just omit the 'from' or use an infinitive. Thanks for making it so clear!
We're delighted to hear that, José! Omission or incorrect use of prepositions is a very common challenge, so focusing on these specific collocations like 'refrain from' is super effective. Keep up the great work!
Are there other common verbs that always take 'from' + gerund like 'refrain'? It would be great to see a list to help build my vocabulary of these patterns!
Excellent idea, Ling! There are indeed other verbs that consistently take 'from + gerund.' A few common ones include 'abstain from,' 'desist from,' 'prohibit from,' 'prevent from,' and 'deter from.' Understanding these patterns across different verbs is a fantastic way to boost your fluency!
So, if I want to confidently say 'I stopped myself from eating the cake', I can now say 'I refrained from eating the cake'? Just confirming my understanding after reading this article.
Precisely, Kai! Your understanding is spot on. 'I refrained from eating the cake' is a perfectly natural and sophisticated way to express that sentiment. You've got it!
Short and sweet, but packed with useful info. My English learning journey thanks you!
Can 'refrain' be used in the passive voice? For example, 'The comments were refrained from by the spokesperson' – sounds a bit odd to my ear. Or is it almost always used actively?
That's a very astute observation, Paolo! You're right, 'refrain' is almost exclusively used in the active voice. Because it describes a volitional act of self-control or holding back, the subject is always the one doing the refraining. Trying to put it in the passive voice often results in awkward or ungrammatical constructions. Stick to the active voice for 'refrain'!
This article was excellent! Could you perhaps do a future article on other tricky verbs and prepositions? For example, 'insist on' vs 'insist that'? Prepositions and conjunctions after verbs always seem to trip me up!
Thank you for the wonderful suggestion, Sarah! Verbs followed by specific prepositions or conjunctions are indeed a challenging area for many learners, and 'insist on/that' is a perfect example. We've added it to our content ideas list!
In my native language, we often have direct equivalents for 'holding back.' It's fascinating how English uses a specific preposition like 'from' so consistently here. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!
I once tried to use 'refrain to speak' in a business meeting and got a very strange look! Now I completely understand why. The 'from + gerund' rule is super important for avoiding awkward situations. Lesson learned!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Yuki! It's a very common mistake, and you're not alone. Those 'strange looks' are often the best teachers! Understanding fixed collocations like 'refrain from + gerund' is indeed key to natural-sounding English.