What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
refrain
Example
I had to refrain from eating the cake because I'm on a diet. [refrain: verb]
Example
The refrain of the song was catchy and easy to remember. [refrain: noun]
restrain
Example
The police had to restrain the suspect from running away. [restrain: verb]
Example
She had to restrain herself from yelling at her boss during the meeting. [restrain: reflexive verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Restrain is more commonly used than refrain in everyday language. Restrain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while refrain is less common and is often used in specific contexts such as music and poetry.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between refrain and restrain?
Both refrain and restrain can be used in formal and informal contexts, but restrain is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
