abstain from voting on a motion

/əbˈsteɪn frəm ˈvoʊtɪŋ ɑn ə ˈmoʊʃən/

verb phrase

  1. To choose not to vote for or against a formal proposal being considered by a group.

    B2

    abstain from + gerundformal

    • "Three members abstained from voting on the motion."B1
    • "The chair abstained from voting on the motion because of a possible conflict of interest."B2
    • "Several delegates abstained from voting on the motion rather than openly opposing it."C1

Common mistakes

  • abstain to vote→abstain from voting

    Use abstain from followed by a gerund, not an infinitive.

Collocations

abstain from votingvote on a motiontable a motionpass a motion

Word family

abstainabstentionabstainer