it refers in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it refers in" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase would be "it refers to." Example: "In this context, it refers to the main character's journey."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

By this he means that the content of an indexical, with respect to a context \(c\), is the object to which it refers in \(c\); its content is not a property or descriptive condition that determines the referent.

SEP

Then it was a noun; today it exists mostly as a verb, though its meaning is largely the same: it refers, in an American context, to drawing legislative districts in order to maximise partisan advantage.

The Economist

In 166 it refers in subsection 7-B to the "intent of the voter".

The New York Times

It is understood it refers in part to a period in 2002 when Rebekah Brooks was editor of the paper.

The Guardian

It refers, in this context, to casinos' gobbling up one anothers' customers, which for some of them may be the only route to survival.

The New York Times - Magazine

It refers in particular to the conchs and whelks that many Italian-Americans have encountered on their grandparents' tables, probably among the seven fishes at Christmastime, possibly in a marinara sauce.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Other times, he intellectualizes it, referring in a recent interview to "the hostile takeover of journalism by deconstructionism.

The New York Times

Similarly, it referred in a critical fashion to the Daily Mail's bulks, which amounted to 72,208, a substantial reduction on the previous February's total of 88,595 (-18.5%).

The Guardian

I interrupted his writing it last summer, when I referred in an email to "the losses inflicted on the Palestinians".

The Guardian

In school terminology, it refers to children in grades 6 9.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

(The term corn is confusing outside of the United States, where it refers to cereals in general).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct preposition "to" after "refers". The correct phrase is "it refers to".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions like "in", "at", or "on" after "refers". The standard and grammatically correct form is "it refers to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it refers in" attempts to function as a linking phrase, aiming to connect a subject with its referent within a given context. However, due to the incorrect preposition usage, it fails to achieve this function effectively. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

47%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it refers in" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it refers to". While Ludwig provides examples where this phrase appears, it's important to note that they often represent errors, and per Ludwig AI, the correct alternative is "it refers to". Always use the correct preposition to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing. Common contexts where you might find this phrase (though incorrectly) include science, news media, and general discussions. For authoritative writing, always opt for "it refers to" or other suitable alternatives like "it pertains to" or "it relates to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it relates to

Uses "relates to" instead of "refers to", indicating a connection or association.

it is relevant to

Explicitly states the relevance of the subject.

it pertains to

Substitutes "refers" with "pertains", suggesting relevance or connection.

it concerns

Replaces "refers" with "concerns", indicating relevance and importance.

it points to

Implies that something indicates or suggests something else.

it alludes to

Changes the verb to "allude", implying an indirect reference.

it bears on

Replaces with a more formal and less common verb "bears", indicating relevance or influence.

it is connected to

Emphasizes the connection using a passive construction.

it signifies

Changes the focus to the meaning or symbolic representation.

it has to do with

Uses a more informal expression to indicate relevance.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "it refers to" in a sentence?

Use "it refers to" when you want to indicate that something is connected to or associated with a particular topic. For example: "In this context, "it refers to the main character's journey"".

What are some common mistakes people make when using "it refers to"?

A common mistake is using the wrong preposition after "refers", such as saying "it refers in" instead of the correct "it refers to". Always double-check your preposition to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Which is the correct phrase, "it refers in" or "it refers to"?

The correct phrase is "it refers to". The phrase "it refers in" is grammatically incorrect. Use "it refers to" to indicate a connection or association.

What can I say instead of "it refers to"?

You can use alternatives like "it pertains to", "it relates to", or "it concerns" depending on the context.