it has referred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has referred" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that has been mentioned or alluded to in the past and is still relevant in the present context. Example: "In the report, it has referred to several studies that support the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Insofar as the claim has been flushed out, it appears to be that the department is entitled to conduct its investigations into mistakes such as this entirely on its own (it has referred the matter to its own inspector general) with no role for Congress at all.

Huffington Post

It has referred its internal inquiry to securities regulators in the United States and Britain.

The New York Times

Since the body began its work in 1997, it has referred 33 such cases back to the court of appeal in Belfast: in 26 cases those convictions have been quashed, while three are still waiting to be heard.

The Guardian

It has referred the allegations to its independent ethics commission, which could lead to a review of how Olympic tickets are distributed among member countries in the future.

The Guardian - Sport

It has referred 25 cases to the police.

The Economist

On the one hand, it has referred to the system of guaranteed freedoms & gov'tal.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The commission said it had referred its findings to law enforcement authorities for possible criminal investigation.

The New York Times

In 2005, for example, the Edward Jones brokerage firm collected a whopping $172 million from a favored seven mutual fund groups to which it had referred its retail clients.

The New York Times

The bank said it had referred the matter to the appropriate authorities and conducted its own review.

The Guardian - Business

West Midlands Police said it had referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating.

Independent

Yesterday afternoon the Electoral Commission said that it had referred the matter to the police.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While generally acceptable, "it has referred" might be replaced with more formal synonyms like "it directed" or "it submitted" in academic or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it has referred" when the subject of 'it' is unclear or ambiguous. Ensure that the reader can easily identify what "it" represents to prevent confusion. For instance, instead of "The study mentioned the results, and it has referred to those in its latest report", specify: "The study has referred to those results in its latest report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has referred" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject ('it') has directed attention, information, or responsibility to something or someone else. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts where something is submitted for review or investigation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has referred" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase serves to indicate that a subject has directed attention or information to something or someone else. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity regarding the subject "it" and to consider the formality of the context, possibly opting for alternatives like "it directed" or "it submitted" in more formal settings. Avoiding ambiguity and maintaining context-appropriate language will ensure effective communication. Ludwig provides valuable examples and insights into the phrase's proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it directed

This alternative focuses on the act of directing something towards a specific destination or recipient.

it pointed

This implies a focus on highlighting or drawing attention to something specific.

it submitted

Suggests the act of formally presenting something for consideration or review.

it passed on

Indicates the transfer of information or responsibility to another party.

it brought to the attention of

Emphasizes the act of making someone aware of something.

it channeled

Implies the directing of something, like resources or information, through a specific route.

it communicated

Focuses on the act of conveying information to another party.

it delegated

Highlights the assigning of a task or responsibility to another party.

it transferred

Indicates the act of moving something from one place or person to another.

it deferred

Suggests postponing action and handing the matter over to another entity.

FAQs

How can I use "it has referred" in a sentence?

Use "it has referred" to indicate that something has been directed or mentioned previously. For example: "The committee reviewed the evidence, and "it has referred" the case to the authorities".

What phrases are similar to "it has referred"?

Similar phrases include "it directed", "it submitted", or "it pointed". The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it has referred" formal or informal?

"It has referred" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts. For highly formal situations, consider alternatives such as "it submitted" or "it directed".

What's the difference between "it has referred" and "it mentioned"?

"It has referred" implies a more directed action, often involving directing something to another entity, while "it mentioned" simply means something was brought up. For example, "The report mentioned the findings" versus "The report "it has referred" the findings to the police".