Which sentence uses refrain as a noun?
a. The flight attendant requested that the passengers refrain from smoking.
b. Students should refrain from using their cell phones during the lecture.
c. Experienced audience members refrain from clapping until the end.
d. The haunting refrain stayed with the audience
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
d. The haunting refrain stayed with the audience.
Explanation:
The word refrain can function as either a verb or a noun, depending on the context. To understand how it is used in the given sentences, let’s analyze each option:
- Option a: “The flight attendant requested that the passengers refrain from smoking.”
- In this sentence, refrain is used as a verb. It means to abstain or hold back from doing something—in this case, smoking.
- Option b: “Students should refrain from using their cell phones during the lecture.”
- Again, refrain is used as a verb, indicating that students are advised to avoid or abstain from a particular action—using cell phones.
- Option c: “Experienced audience members refrain from clapping until the end.”
- Similar to the previous examples, refrain here is a verb. It describes the action of not doing something—holding back from clapping prematurely.
- Option d: “The haunting refrain stayed with the audience.”
- In this sentence, refrain is a noun, referring to a repeated phrase or melody in a song or piece of music. The word describes something that can “stay” or linger in someone’s mind, fitting the context of a noun.
Why “d” is the correct answer:
The key difference lies in grammar and meaning. When refrain is a verb, it describes an action (to stop oneself from doing something). As a noun, it refers to something tangible, such as a recurring musical or literary phrase. In option d, refrain clearly refers to a haunting musical or lyrical element, making it the correct choice.
Understanding this dual role of refrain enriches both vocabulary and grammatical comprehension, which is essential for effective communication and nuanced expression.