above refers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "above refers" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and lacks proper grammatical structure, making it difficult to understand its intended meaning. Example: "The document above refers to the new policy changes that will take effect next month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

If, as has been suggested, the reference in the Talmud to "a star which appears once in seventy years that makes the captains of the ships err" (see above) refers to Halley's Comet, it may be a reference to the 66 AD appearance, because this passage is attributed to the Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hananiah.

Wikipedia

While the refinement scheme given above refers specifically to an EVB potential, another refinement scheme with another kind of reference potential (such as a pure MM or semiempirical potential [30,86]), can also be used by using the full FEP or LRA to evaluate the perturbation between the different potentials.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

The term "adverse effects" above refers to the injury, such as structural damage to tissues.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Hugh McIlvanney, Sunday Times, March 2002) Now, you'll know from the headline of this piece that the appraisal above refers to Juan Sebastian Veron rather than Dimitar Berbatov.

The Guardian - Sport

Creative thinking, as noted above, refers to how people approach problems and solutions their capacity to put existing ideas together in new combinations.

Harvard Business Review

The table above refers to total medal counts from about 150 countries over the course of Olympic Games from 1956 to 2008.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The Perupetro statement above referred to this too.

The Guardian

The regulations above referred to were issued by Secretary Rusk.

Cornell University

The article above referred to Allan Horsfall as 'a former Bolton councillor'.

The Guardian

All quotations above refer to the original pornographic tape, not to a math tape.

The New York Times - Style

The 1940's poster above referred to the a. contribution of women to the defense industry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "above refers" with alternatives like "above is a reference to" or "above pertains to."

Common error

Ensure the subject that "above refers" is linked to is unambiguously clear; otherwise, rephrase for directness, for example, "The aforementioned section refers to..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above refers" functions as a linking expression, attempting to connect a preceding element (like a table, statement, or section) to a subsequent explanation or clarification. However, it's often considered grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI suggests, alternatives provide more clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "above refers" is commonly used, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. Ludwig AI suggests it can be unclear and lacks proper structure. Although prevalent across various sources like science, news, and academia, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives such as "above is a reference to" or "above pertains to" for clarity and formality. When using it, ensure the subject being referenced is unambiguous to avoid confusion. By considering these points, you can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above is a reference to

Clearly states that something is being mentioned, often in a more explicit manner.

above refers specifically to

Narrows the focus to a particular element or aspect being referenced.

above is in reference to

Formalizes the expression to clearly state that something is being referred to.

above alludes to

Emphasizes indirect reference; carries suggestion rather than direct identification.

above pertains to

More formal; indicates a direct relevance or connection to the subject at hand.

above concerns

Highlights the topic or subject matter being addressed.

above is about

Simplifies the expression to indicate the central theme or idea.

above indicates

Focuses on pointing out or suggesting something without explicitly naming it.

above is related to

Indicates a connection or association with the subject matter.

above signifies

Highlights the symbolic or representational aspect of the reference.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "above refers"?

You can use phrases such as "above is a reference to", "above pertains to", or "above alludes to" depending on the context.

How can I make my writing clearer when using "above refers"?

Ensure the subject being referenced is clearly defined. If ambiguity exists, rephrase to directly state the connection or relationship.

Is it appropriate to use "above refers" in formal writing?

While "above refers" is commonly used, more formal and grammatically precise alternatives like "above is in reference to" or "above pertains to" are preferable in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "above refers" and "above is about"?

"Above refers" implies a direct reference, while "above is about" indicates the general topic or subject matter being discussed. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.