be referred by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be referred by" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "be referred to by." Example: "He will be referred to by his colleagues for his expertise in the field."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They have to be referred by someone at the hotel".

The New York Times - Travel

In order to get it, I had to be referred by a local agency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Focus 12 clients can be referred by social workers or pay privately.

The Guardian

But Mr. Murrain was fortunate, he said, to be referred by the center to the community service bureau.

The New York Times

Potential baristas will be referred by local councils and from charities including Crisis and the Big Issue.

The Guardian

In order to be referred by a local agency I needed to demonstrate to a council a "sufficient local connection".

The Guardian - Opinion

You need to be referred – by a childcare professional, a health visitor, social services or a similar agency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Young women, who will be referred by local authorities, are expected to spend between six and nine months at the homes.

The Guardian

However, if users want to communicate with anyone beyond the first degree -- mostly immediate friends -- they must be referred by a mutual contact.

The New York Times

Families cannot apply directly for the post-eviction help, but instead must be referred by housing court judges, homeless services officials and job centers.

The New York Times

Places where they can just walk in and not have to be referred by a doctor, where they don't feel intimidated and they wouldn't have to wait months for help.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check your writing, especially in professional or academic contexts, to ensure you're using grammatically sound phrasing. This can significantly enhance your credibility.

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the preposition "to" after "referred". Always use "be referred to by" rather than "be referred by" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be referred by" typically functions as part of a passive construction, where someone or something is directed to a person, service, or resource. However, Ludwig AI points out that this construction is grammatically incorrect and requires the addition of 'to'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "be referred by" is commonly found, Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "be referred to by". Despite its frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications, adhering to correct grammar is crucial for professional and academic writing. Alternatives such as "be recommended by" or "receive a referral from" offer clearer and more grammatically sound options. Therefore, while "be referred by" is widely used, it should be avoided in favor of more precise and grammatically accurate alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive a referral from

Highlights the action of getting a referral, placing emphasis on the receiver.

be recommended by

Highlights the endorsement or positive opinion of the referrer.

be endorsed by

Emphasizes formal approval from a referrer, focusing on validation.

be directed to

Suggests a more active and intentional guidance toward something specific.

be guided by

Implies influence or leadership from a person or document.

be pointed towards

Suggests a less formal and more general indication of direction.

be counselled by

Refers specifically to receiving advice or guidance from someone.

be sent to

Implies a formal transfer from one entity to another.

be connected with

Focuses on establishing a link or relationship with a service or person.

be introduced to

Emphasizes the act of making someone aware of something new.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "be referred by"?

The grammatically correct phrasing is "be referred to by". For example, "Patients must "be referred to by" a specialist."

What can I say instead of "be referred by"?

You can use alternatives like "be recommended by", "receive a referral from", or "be directed to" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "be referred by"?

While the phrase "be referred by" appears in some publications, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Sticking to ""be referred to by"" or alternative phrasings ensures clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "be referred by" and "be referred to by"?

The inclusion of "to" in ""be referred to by"" is crucial for grammatical correctness. The former is considered an error, while the latter is the accepted standard.