it refers that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it refers that" is not an idiomatic phrase in standard English.
Instead, you might use an expression such as "it implies that," "it suggests that," or "it indicates that." For example: "The wording of the document appears to be carefully chosen - it implies that the company wants to protect its interests."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It refers that all high-throughput omics profiling systems employ real-time PCR or similar approaches to amplify gene or protein expression levels exponentially [ 14, 15].

BMC Medical Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sense of an expression, roughly speaking, is not the thing the expression refers to but the way in which it refers to that thing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It refers to that famous Matrix scene where Neo takes the red pill and sees things as they really are.

Vice

It refers to something that is enormous, obvious, unignorable – but that manages somehow to be ignored and overlooked.

Independent

The second answer was wrong — it is not specific, and it refers to something that took place on several occasions.

The New York Times - Health

Technically, it refers to datasets that are too large and complex to manipulate or interrogate with standard methods or tools.

The Guardian - Tech

It refers to information that is passively collected along with the use of digital technology.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Infrastructure doesn't mean roads and bridges -- it refers to systems that link people, technology and operations.

Forbes

It refers to molecules that contain carbon, and water includes only hydrogen and oxygen.

HuffPost

Language does bear some relation, however complex and mediated, to what it refers to - that, surely, was why it was invented.

The Guardian

It refers to that which is impermanent, dependently-arisen, and causally efficacious, the three being co-extensive with each other and with conventional truths in general.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "it refers that". Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "it indicates that" or "it implies that".

Common error

The phrase "it refers that" is not standard English. A common mistake is to directly follow "refers" with "that". Instead, use "refers to" followed by a noun phrase, or replace "refers" with a verb that correctly introduces a clause, like "indicates" or "implies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it refers that" is intended to function as a clause introducing a statement about what something indicates or pertains to. However, it's grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, alternative phrasings like "it implies that" are better options.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it refers that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests opting for alternatives like "it implies that" or "it indicates that" for clearer and more accurate communication. While the phrase may appear in some contexts, particularly in news or encyclopedia articles, it's advisable to avoid it in formal writing. Using correct grammar will always improve the quality and clarity of your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it indicates that

Substitutes "refers" with "indicates", emphasizing pointing out or signaling something.

it points to that

Uses "points to" instead of "refers", emphasizing directionality and connection.

it implies that

Replaces "refers" with "implies", focusing on suggestion rather than direct reference.

it signifies that

Replaces "refers" with "signifies", highlighting the meaning or symbolic representation.

it suggests that

Uses "suggests" instead of "refers", conveying a more subtle or indirect connection.

it denotes that

Substitutes "refers" with "denotes", stressing explicit meaning or definition.

it alludes to that

Employs "alludes to" instead of "refers", indicating an indirect or veiled reference.

it highlights that

Replaces "refers" with "highlights", focusing on emphasizing a particular aspect.

it exemplifies that

Substitutes "refers" with "exemplifies", highlighting the concept of serving as a typical example.

it embodies that

Uses "embodies" instead of "refers", conveying the concept of representing something in a tangible form.

FAQs

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

The verb "refer" usually needs the preposition "to" when followed by a noun or pronoun: "it refers to the document". To introduce a clause, replace "refers" with a more appropriate verb like "indicates", as in, "it indicates that the document is valid".

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

You can use alternatives like "it implies that", "it indicates that", or "it suggests that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it refers that" or "it refers to"?

"It refers to" is the correct and standard English construction when "refers" is followed by a noun or pronoun. "It refers that" is generally incorrect; use verbs like "implies" or "indicates" instead.

Is "it refers that" grammatically correct?

No, "it refers that" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage typically involves "it refers to something" or replacing "refers" with a verb that appropriately introduces a clause.