I refer him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I refer him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you are directing someone to another person for assistance or information. Example: "In this case, I refer him to our customer service department for further assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Re Mr Wilson's point, I refer him to Newton's laws of motion.

The Guardian - Sport

I refer him to some of the more lyrical prose written in his honour, for instance this assessment, as chronicled by Tony Morris, after what was to be his final Derby win, on Teenoso.

The Guardian - Sport

I refer him to Amy Berg's film "An Open Secret," released in June; it deals with that very subject.

Los Angeles Times

I refer him to the imaginary two women I made up a paragraph ago who are throwing pasta against their kitchen wall. 1) Macaroni Grill products (General Mills), 100 score 2) Pasta Roni (PepsiCo), 100 score 3) Market Pantry (Target), 100 score 4) Chef Boyardee (ConAgra Foods), 95 score 5) Rosetto (Hain Celestial Group), 90 score.

Huffington Post

The problem is if we have already developed a relationship with him and I refer him to someone else or her to someone else it's like okay now he doesn't know where to start from.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

One of the physiotherapists expressed: "Well it's certain that the doctor who sees that me, my client, well he has to recover and that I refer him all over, well he will be more likely to refer to me because the client is important".

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I referred him to the ethics committee," Mr. Rangel said, smiling mischievously.

The New York Times

I referred him to an eye doctor to ensure that the diabetes was not affecting his vision.

The New York Times

I referred him to a criminal attorney who got him out of jail after three lousy nights.

Huffington Post

I referred him to a recent WSJ article about hacking that quoted a DOE official whose embargoed market-moving oil data has come under attack before its wider release.

Huffington Post

So I referred him to another counsellor for further counselling.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I refer him", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the referral and the expected outcome. For example, specify the expertise of the person you are referring them to.

Common error

Avoid phrasing the referral passively (e.g., "He was referred by me"). Instead, use the active voice ("I refer him") to emphasize your action and maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I refer him" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of directing someone to another person or resource. It's typically used to indicate a transfer of responsibility or expertise, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I refer him" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, albeit uncommon, employed to indicate directing someone to another person or resource. Ludwig AI affirms its acceptability. Its primary function is to guide someone to a more appropriate source for assistance, expertise, or information. The expression maintains a neutral register, suitable for professional settings and news reporting. Alternatives such as "I direct him to" or "I point him towards" offer similar meanings. When using "I refer him", ensure the context is clear and the reason for the referral is evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I direct him to

Emphasizes the act of guiding or instructing someone to a specific destination or resource.

I point him towards

Highlights the action of indicating a direction or path to follow.

I send him to

Focuses on the act of dispatching someone to a particular place or person.

I guide him to

Suggests a more supportive and accompanied transfer to another resource.

I commend him to

Implies a formal recommendation or endorsement of someone to another's care.

I suggest he consults

Recommends seeking advice or guidance from someone else.

I advise him to see

Offers counsel to seek a professional or expert's opinion.

I put him in touch with

Focuses on the act of connecting someone with another person.

I connect him with

Highlights the action of linking someone with a relevant contact or resource.

I forward him to

Suggests a transfer of responsibility or attention to another party.

FAQs

What does "I refer him" mean?

The phrase "I refer him" means that you are directing someone to another person or resource for assistance, information, or further action.

When is it appropriate to use "I refer him"?

It's appropriate to use "I refer him" when you want to indicate that you are sending someone to another person or department because they are better equipped to handle a specific issue or provide specialized assistance.

What can I say instead of "I refer him"?

You can use alternatives like "I direct him to", "I point him towards", or "I send him to" depending on the context.

Is "I refer him" formal or informal?

"I refer him" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both professional and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain situations.