To Refrain vs Refraining Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To refrain (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to refrain" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I refrained from eating dessert to maintain a healthy diet.

Refraining (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "refraining" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Refraining from gossiping can build trust among colleagues.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To refrain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To refrain is important in maintaining self-control.

  To refrain is important in maintaining self-control.

  • "*To refrain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in maintaining self-control).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to refrain from talking during the movie.

  She wants me to refrain from talking during the movie.

  • "Me *to refrain* from talking during the movie" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to refrain* from talking during the movie).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong willpower to refrain from eating junk food.

  I need a strong willpower to refrain from eating junk food.

  • "*To refrain* from eating junk food" modifies the noun "willpower."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong willpower *to refrain* from eating junk food).

Refraining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Refraining from excessive drinking is beneficial for one's health.

  Refraining from excessive drinking is beneficial for one's health.

  • "*Refraining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (beneficial for one's health).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy refraining from social media on weekends.

  I enjoy refraining from social media on weekends.

  • "*Refraining* from social media on weekends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*refraining* from social media on weekends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of refraining from making impulsive decisions.

  She has a habit of refraining from making impulsive decisions.

  • "Of *refraining* from making impulsive decisions" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *refraining* from making impulsive decisions).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• decide
• want
• hope
• attempt
• pretend

Example

We decided to refrain from attending the party due to our busy schedule.

He wants to refrain from smoking for better health.

They hope to refrain from arguing during the meeting.

I attempted to refrain from using my phone while studying.

She pretends to refrain from eating sweets in front of her children.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• imagine

Example

He avoids refraining from taking risks in his career.

They consider refraining from eating meat for ethical reasons.

Experts recommend refraining from excessive use of electronic devices.

I decided to postpone refraining from sweets until after my birthday.

Can you imagine refraining from using your phone for a week?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to refrain from eating out. She likes refraining from eating out.

We began to refrain from using plastic bags. We began refraining from using plastic bags.

He continues to refrain from drinking alcohol. He continues refraining from drinking alcohol.