refrain from doing that vs Stop doing that

Both "refrain from doing that" and "stop doing that" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Refrain from doing that" is more formal and polite, often used in written communication or formal speech. On the other hand, "stop doing that" is more direct and commonly used in everyday spoken language.

Last updated: March 06, 2024 • 845 views

refrain from doing that

This phrase is correct and commonly used in formal contexts to politely ask someone not to do something.

This phrase is used to politely ask someone to avoid doing a specific action. It is more formal and suitable for written communication or formal speech.

Examples:

Please refrain from using your phone during the meeting.
I kindly ask you to refrain from smoking in this area.
We should refrain from making hasty decisions.
She refrained from commenting on the issue.
The teacher asked the students to refrain from talking during the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

Injunction – An order of a court that most commonly requires that an entity stop doing something and refrain from doing that thing in the future and/or, more rarely ...
Oh little brother please refrain from doing that, I'm trying to help you out so can you stop being a twat. It's time that you and I sat down and had a little chat,
Jul 13, 2008 ... Oh little brother please refrain from doing that. I'm tryna help you out so can you stop being a twat. It's time that you and I sat down and had a ...
... him or her from their own decision making ability - which is what kids are trying to work on - so everyone (coaches and parents) should refrain from doing that.

Alternatives:

abstain from doing that
avoid doing that
desist from doing that
abstain from the action
hold back from doing that

Stop doing that

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday spoken language to directly ask someone to cease an action.

This phrase is used to directly ask someone to cease an action. It is more informal and suitable for everyday spoken language.

Examples:

Please stop talking so loudly.
Can you stop playing with that toy?
Stop eating with your mouth open.
I told him to stop bothering me.
She asked him to stop making noise.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 11, 2008 ... Pat Cashman tells about a great new program that can help you stop doing that today. There are many "regular folks" in this video. Are you one ...
The question arises after a brisk and happy trot through Henry Alford's new book, WOULD IT KILL YOU TO STOP DOING THAT?..Lively." (The New York Times )
is on Facebook. To connect with CAN YOU PLEASE STOP DOING THAT BEFORE I PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE?, sign up for Facebook today. Sign UpLog In.
... 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars. Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners by Henry Alford 761 ratings, 2.90 average rating, 200 reviews

Alternatives:

cease doing that
quit doing that
halt that action
put an end to that
discontinue that behavior

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refrain from doing that vs Stop doing that