Referring back to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Referring back to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that you are going back to a previous point or topic in your writing. For example, "Referring back to our earlier discussion, I would like to add..." Alternative expressions include "In reference to," "As mentioned earlier," and "Regarding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Referring back to late 2008, he said, "She also was already a world figure.

The New Yorker

Referring back to Berlin's typology, this is clearly a sort of positive liberty.

SEP

Referring back to Fig. 10, we can associate it with the mild maximum in the CPN curve, around 1420 UT.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Referring back to his issues with the board, If you're profitable, you can control your board.

TechCrunch

Referring back to (7), if ωk,1≠ωk,2, then the signal is IP, and its polarization varies with time.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Referring back to Table 3, we thus conclude that an extra year of education decreases the non-willingness to naturalise and increases the likelihood of recent naturalisations.

IZA Journal of Migration

Referring back to Trump's response, Ryan added, "It was not only morally ambiguous, it was equivocating.

Huffington Post

Referring back to the source, as if this were Shakespeare set to music, actually weighs "Falstaff" down.

Los Angeles Times

Referring back to the 256 types of days conceptual example, the terminal nodes will form a partition of the 255 joint effects in the tree.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Referring back to the previous example, this means that the ontology models the patient's condition and the nurses' locations amongst other things.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

But you're referring back to something I said.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "Referring back to" to provide context and maintain coherence, especially when discussing complex topics or multiple sources. This helps readers follow your train of thought and understand the relationships between different ideas.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "Referring back to". Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and clunky. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Referring back to" functions as a transitional phrase, guiding the reader to connect the current statement with a previous one. Ludwig AI confirms its role in creating coherence by linking ideas across a text, as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Referring back to" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to link current statements to previous ones, ensuring coherence and context. As Ludwig AI's analysis suggests, its primary function is transitional, serving to provide context and reinforce arguments across various types of writing. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, overuse should be avoided to maintain a natural flow. The phrase is most frequently encountered in scientific and news media contexts, reflecting its wide applicability and utility in clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing upon earlier points

Suggests using previous arguments or ideas as a foundation for current statements, indicating a logical progression.

referencing earlier

Implies a direct citation or mention of a prior statement or document, often in a more formal or academic setting.

alluding to previous remarks

Implies a subtle or indirect reference to earlier comments, often used to avoid direct repetition.

in connection with the above

Connects a current statement to prior content, useful for maintaining coherence in formal documents or reports.

as previously mentioned

Highlights that something was discussed before, adding a sense of continuity but can sound slightly repetitive.

with regard to the foregoing

A highly formal and somewhat archaic way to refer to what has already been stated, typically used in legal or official contexts.

echoing a prior statement

Highlights a deliberate repetition or reinforcement of a previous statement, often to emphasize its importance.

revisiting the subject

Indicates a return to a topic for further examination or discussion, suggesting a more in-depth analysis.

as noted before

Simply reminds the audience that something has already been pointed out, providing a concise transition.

going back to

A more informal way to indicate a return to a previous point, suitable for casual conversations or writing.

FAQs

How can I use "Referring back to" in a sentence?

Use "Referring back to" to connect a current statement with a previous one. For instance, "Referring back to our discussion on climate change, the new data further supports the urgency of the issue."

What's a synonym for "Referring back to"?

Alternatives to "Referring back to" include "as previously mentioned", "in reference to", or "regarding".

Is it formal to use "Referring back to"?

The phrase "Referring back to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "with regard to the foregoing".

How does "Referring back to" differ from "relating to"?

"Referring back to" indicates a return to a specific previous point, while "relating to" simply suggests a connection or relevance to a topic. "Referring back to" implies a direct link to something already mentioned, whereas "relating to" does not necessarily.