Refrain vs Restrain: When To Use Each One In Writing

Have you ever wondered about the difference between the words “refrain” and “restrain”? Although they may seem similar, they actually have distinct meanings that are important to understand in order to use them correctly.

Let’s clarify which of the two words is the proper one to use in different situations. “Refrain” is typically used when talking about abstaining from doing something, while “restrain” is used to indicate the act of holding back or controlling something or someone.

More specifically, “refrain” means to resist or avoid doing something, often because it is considered inappropriate or harmful. For example, you might refrain from eating junk food in order to maintain a healthy diet, or refrain from making a rude comment in order to avoid offending someone.

On the other hand, “restrain” means to hold back or prevent something from happening, often by physical or mental force. For example, you might restrain a dog from running into the street by holding onto its leash, or restrain yourself from reacting angrily to a frustrating situation.

Understanding the difference between these two words can help you communicate more clearly and effectively in a variety of situations. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common contexts where these words are used and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Define Refrain

Refraint is a verb that means to hold oneself back from doing something, especially when it comes to expressing one’s feelings or desires. It often involves a conscious effort to resist temptation or to avoid a certain behavior or action that may have negative consequences. Refraining can be a sign of self-control and discipline, and it may be necessary in certain situations where acting on impulse could lead to harm or regret.

Define Restrain

Restrain is also a verb, but it has a slightly different meaning than refrain. Restrain means to hold back or prevent someone or something from doing something, often through physical force or legal means. It can also refer to controlling or limiting one’s own behavior or actions, but the emphasis is on external factors that are imposing the restraint. Restraint can be seen as a way of maintaining order or preventing harm, but it can also be viewed as a form of oppression or restriction.

Here is a table to summarize the differences between refrain and restrain:

Refraint	Restrain
Voluntary	Imposed
Self-control	External control
Avoiding negative consequences	Preventing harm or disorder

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

In order to effectively communicate in the English language, it is important to understand the subtle differences between words that may seem similar. Two such words are “refrain” and “restrain”. While they may appear interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings and should be used in specific contexts.

How To Use “Refrain” In A Sentence

When using the word “refrain”, it is important to remember that it means to hold back or avoid doing something. It is often used in the context of self-control or abstaining from a particular action or behavior. For example:

• “I must refrain from eating too much cake if I want to stay healthy.”
• “She refrained from speaking out of turn during the meeting.”
• “He refrained from hitting his opponent during the boxing match.”

Notice that in each of these examples, the word “refrain” is used to indicate a deliberate action of holding back or avoiding something.

How To Use “Restrain” In A Sentence

On the other hand, “restrain” means to hold back or prevent something or someone from acting or moving freely. It is often used in the context of physical force or control over a situation. For example:

• “The police officer restrained the suspect from escaping.”
• “The straitjacket restrained the patient’s movements.”
• “The leash restrained the dog from running into the street.”

Note that in each of these examples, the word “restrain” is used to indicate a physical action of holding back or preventing something from moving or acting freely.

By understanding the subtle differences between “refrain” and “restrain”, you can use them more effectively in your writing and communication. Remember to use “refrain” when indicating a deliberate action of holding back or avoiding something, and “restrain” when indicating a physical action of holding back or preventing something from moving or acting freely.

More Examples Of Refrain & Restrain Used In Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use “refrain” and “restrain” in sentences.

Examples Of Using Refrain In A Sentence

• He had to refrain from laughing during the serious meeting.
• She refrained from eating the cake to stick to her diet.
• The teacher asked the students to refrain from talking during the exam.
• He refrained from commenting on the controversial topic.
• She refrained from answering the personal question.
• They refrained from making any decisions until they had all the information.
• He refrained from drinking alcohol at the party.
• She refrained from using her phone during the movie.
• The politician refrained from making any promises he couldn’t keep.
• He refrained from criticizing his boss in public.

Examples Of Using Restrain In A Sentence

• The police had to restrain the suspect from running away.
• She restrained herself from yelling at her children.
• The doctor restrained the patient during the surgery.
• He restrained his anger when his team lost the game.
• She restrained her excitement when she received the good news.
• The security guard restrained the shoplifter until the police arrived.
• He restrained his dog from attacking the other dog.
• She restrained herself from interrupting the speaker.
• The therapist helped him restrain his impulses.
• He restrained himself from buying the expensive car.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “refrain” and “restrain,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Refrain” Instead Of “Restrain”

One common mistake is using “refrain” instead of “restrain.” While both words imply some sort of holding back, they have different meanings. “Refrain” means to hold back from doing something voluntarily, while “restrain” means to prevent someone from doing something by force or authority.

For example, if you’re trying to stop yourself from eating junk food, you might say “I will refrain from eating junk food.” On the other hand, if you’re trying to stop someone from stealing, you might say “I will restrain you from stealing.”

Using “Restrain” Instead Of “Refrain”

Another common mistake is using “restrain” instead of “refrain.” This mistake is often made when people want to express self-control, but use the wrong word.

For example, if you’re trying to control your anger, you might say “I will restrain my anger.” However, this is incorrect usage. The correct way to say this is “I will refrain from getting angry.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Take the time to look up the definitions of both words and understand the differences between them.
• Practice using each word in a sentence to help solidify their meanings in your mind.
• When in doubt, use a synonym or rephrase the sentence to avoid using either word.

By following these tips, you can avoid making common mistakes when using “refrain” and “restrain” and communicate more clearly and effectively.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “refrain” and “restrain” can depend on the context in which they are used. The meaning of each word is different, and understanding the context can help determine which word to use.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “refrain” and “restrain” might change:

Context	Word Choice	Explanation
Music	Refrain	In music, a refrain is a repeated phrase or verse. It is used to create a sense of familiarity and structure within a song.
Behavior	Restrain	When talking about behavior, “restrain” is often used to mean holding back or controlling oneself. For example, “I had to restrain myself from yelling at my boss.”
Legal	Restrain	In a legal context, “restrain” is often used to mean preventing someone from doing something. For example, a court might issue a restraining order to prevent someone from contacting another person.
Speech	Refrain	When talking about speech, “refrain” is often used to mean not saying something. For example, “I had to refrain from making a sarcastic comment.”

As you can see, the choice between “refrain” and “restrain” can depend on the context in which they are used. Understanding the meaning of each word and the context in which it is being used can help ensure that you are using the correct word for the situation.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using refrain and restrain are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where their usage may not follow the standard guidelines. Below are some explanations and examples for each case.

Exceptions For Refrain

• When used as a noun: Refrain can also be used as a noun meaning a repeated phrase in a song or poem. In this case, it is not interchangeable with restrain. For example, “The refrain of the song was catchy and memorable.”
• When used in legal contexts: Refrain can also be used in legal contexts to mean an injunction or order. In this case, it is not interchangeable with restrain. For example, “The court issued a refrain against the defendant.”

Exceptions For Restrain

• When used in a physical sense: Restrain can be used in a physical sense to mean to physically hold back or control. In this case, it is not interchangeable with refrain. For example, “The police had to restrain the suspect from running away.”
• When used in a legal context: Restrain can also be used in legal contexts to mean to prohibit or prevent. In this case, it is not interchangeable with refrain. For example, “The court issued an order to restrain the defendant from contacting the victim.”

It is important to note these exceptions to ensure that the correct word is used in the appropriate context. While the rules for using refrain and restrain are generally straightforward, understanding these exceptions can help to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication.

Practice Exercises

Improving your understanding and use of refrain and restrain in sentences requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blanks

Choose the correct word (refrain or restrain) to fill in the blanks in the following sentences:

1. It’s important to refrain from making assumptions about people based on their appearance.
2. The police officer had to use force to restrain the suspect.
3. She tried to refrain from laughing during the serious meeting.
4. He had to restrain himself from shouting at his boss.
5. The doctor advised her to refrain from eating spicy food.

Answer key:

Sentence	Correct word
1	refrain
2	restrain
3	refrain
4	restrain
5	refrain

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word

Choose the correct word (refrain or restrain) to complete the following sentences:

1. She had to [refrain/restrain] herself from eating the whole cake.
2. The teacher had to [refrain/restrain] the students from talking during the exam.
3. He decided to [refrain/restrain] from drinking alcohol during the party.
4. The dog was [refrained/restrained] by its owner from chasing the cat.
5. The athlete had to [refrain/restrain] himself from using performance-enhancing drugs.

Answer key:

Sentence	Correct word
1	refrain
2	restrain
3	refrain
4	restrained
5	refrain

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between refrain and restrain, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in written and spoken language.

Key Takeaways

• Refrain means to avoid doing something, while restrain means to hold back or prevent someone or something from doing something.
• Refrain is often used in the context of self-control or abstaining from an action, while restrain is more commonly used in the context of physical force or control over someone or something.
• It is important to consider the context and intended meaning when choosing between refrain and restrain.

Overall, having a strong understanding of grammar and language use is essential for effective communication. By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can enhance our ability to convey our thoughts and ideas clearly and accurately.