I refer that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I refer that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "I refer to that." Example: "In my previous email, I refer to that document for further details."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I don't do that, so I refer that part to a cardiologist and I take care of the rest of the person.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As you know, I referred that matter to the Department of Justice for further investigation.

Huffington Post

I refer to that BlackBerry wristwatch that was rumored for so, so long till it was "made official" several days ago.

TechCrunch

I refer to that kind of movie as oat-bran cinema: dull movies that are supposed to be good for you.

Huffington Post

Emanuel: I refer to that spring of 2010 as the G-force.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I refer to that as the pachinko machine," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

I refer to that part of the option space as maybe now because we might decide to invest right away.

Harvard Business Review

My co-author Vijay Govindarajan and I refer to that second step as the other side of innovation because it is often underappreciated or even completely overlooked.

Harvard Business Review

I refer to that obliquely in Admirals.

Huffington Post

I refer to that moment as a dog's "biting point".

Huffington Post

We assume that zero means nothing, and so we have math; that "I" refers to oneself and that "he" refers to another, and so we have language.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "I refer to that" instead of "I refer that" in formal writing to ensure grammatical correctness. This simple addition clarifies that you are directing attention towards something previously mentioned or known.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition 'to' after 'refer' when indicating a reference to something. Saying "I refer that" is grammatically incorrect; always use "I refer to that" to maintain proper English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions incorrectly as a statement aiming to direct attention to something previously mentioned. However, the omission of the preposition "to" makes it grammatically unsound. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard written English, suggesting the corrected form "I refer to that."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind the phrase "I refer that" is to direct attention to something, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig highlights, the correct form is "I refer to that". This simple correction ensures that the phrase adheres to standard English grammar. Usage is infrequent, and while it appears in both news/media and scientific contexts, it is crucial to use the corrected form in formal and professional writing to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I refer to that

Adds the preposition "to" for grammatical correctness, indicating a reference to something previously mentioned.

I mention that

A simpler alternative that indicates a brief or casual reference.

I am referring to that

Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize that the reference is happening now or is ongoing.

That's what I'm referring to

Emphasizes a specific thing that's being referenced in the current conversation.

I point to that

Replaces "refer" with "point", indicating a more direct and explicit reference.

I call attention to that

Similar to "direct your attention to that", but slightly less formal.

I draw your attention to that

Same meaning of "I call attention to that", but more formal.

I direct your attention to that

A more formal way of urging someone to focus on something specific.

I cite that

Suggests providing a specific source or piece of evidence.

I allude to that

Indicates an indirect reference, suggesting something without explicitly mentioning it.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "I refer that"?

The grammatically correct way to express this is "I refer "refer to" that". The preposition "to" is essential for proper usage.

What's the difference between "I refer that" and "I refer to that"?

"I refer that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "I "refer to that"", where "to" is necessary to link the verb "refer" with the object.

When should I use "I refer to that"?

Use "I "refer to that"" when you want to direct someone's attention to something you've already mentioned or something that's already known in the context of your conversation or writing.

Are there alternatives to "I refer to that"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "I "mention that"", "I "point to that"", or "I "allude to that"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.