What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abstaining
Example
I am abstaining from alcohol for the month of January. [abstaining: present participle]
Example
The doctor advised abstaining from fatty foods to improve my health. [abstaining: gerund]
refraining
Example
I am refraining from commenting on the matter until I have all the facts. [refraining: present participle]
Example
The teacher asked the students to refrain from using their phones during class. [refraining: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Refraining is more commonly used than abstaining in everyday language. Refraining is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abstaining is less common and often used in more formal or serious contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between abstaining and refraining?
While both words can be used in formal contexts, abstaining is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, while refraining is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
