英语短语 "refrain from" 的核心含义是 “克制;避免;忍住不做(某事)”,强调通过主观意志抑制某种行为或冲动。
"refrain from" 是不及物动词短语,后接动名词(doing sth.),不能接不定式(to do)。结构为:
1、 主语通常是人:因为“克制”是主观行为,主语多为有自主意识的人(或拟人化的事物)。
2、 正式/书面语境:比"don’t do"或"stop doing"更正式,常见于规则、建议、礼貌提醒等场景。
3、 强调“主动抑制”:区别于"avoid"(客观避免)或"prevent"(阻止他人),"refrain from"侧重“自我克制”。
1、 日常场景:
I’m trying to refrain from eating sugary snacks to lose weight.(我在努力克制不吃甜食以减肥。)
Please refrain from talking loudly in the library.(请不要在图书馆大声说话。)
2、 社交/情感:
She refrained from criticizing his mistake in front of everyone.(她忍住不在众人面前批评他的错误。)
He refrained from showing his disappointment when he heard the news.(听到消息时,他克制住不表现出失望。)
3、 规则/公告:
The sign asks visitors to refrain from touching the artworks.(标识要求游客不要触摸艺术品。)
Employees are required to refrain from using personal phones during work hours.(员工上班时间不得使用私人手机。)
abstain from:更正式,侧重“长期戒除”(如 abstain from alcohol 戒酒)。
keep from:更口语,强调“阻止自己做”(如 keep from laughing 忍不住笑)。
avoid:客观“避免”(如 avoid traffic 避开 traffic),不强调“克制”。
❌ 错误:I refrained to tell him the truth.(不能接不定式)
✅ 正确:I refrained from telling him the truth.(我忍住没告诉他真相。)
总之,"refrain from" 是表达“自我克制行为”的常用短语,记住后接动名词是关键!