let me refer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me refer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to direct someone's attention to a specific source or piece of information. Example: "Let me refer you to the latest report for more detailed statistics on our sales performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Though I'd be surprised and disappointed to hear a candidate say, "Well, let me refer you back to my signpost" or "Now I'd like to crystallize".

The New York Times - Magazine

Let me refer the newcomer to the last three sessions on the review website on respectively, migrant exploitation, a victims' taskforce and exploitation (again) in the care sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let me refer you to one of the first lines of The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor, in which a wise old man warns International Monetary Fund officials and foreign dignatories: "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay".

The Guardian - Opinion

I think what The Granny Alphabet lacks is uninhibited joy and if you're not sure what I mean then let me refer you to the inspired pairing of June (Dot Cotton) Brown and Lady Gaga on Graham Norton's sofa last week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If the view of a Greek is not convincing enough, let me refer to independent assessments: both Regling and the Finnish vice-president of the European Commission, Olli Rehn, have repeatedly said Greece has achieved the largest fiscal adjustment of any country in history (more than 12% of GDP in the past three years).

The Guardian

With that said, let me refer back to my friend's email.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He would probably quip, Let me also refer you to a letter I once wrote to the church in Galatia (or Ephesus, etc)., where I dealt with that subject in greater detail.

Huffington Post

Let me also refer at this juncture to another issue where my group is in agreement with the President of the United States, namely the continuation of the embargo against China.

EU Parlament

And my friends have learned never to let me hear them refer to the state by the single word.

The New York Times

If we're surprised, let me add that referring to TV shows was no joke.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, I was detained for an hour at the gate by police, who eventually let me go, jokingly referring to this as an "argument over a cell phone" to the TSA.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "let me refer", ensure the reference you provide is relevant and adds value to the discussion. This phrase is most effective when immediately followed by a clear and specific source.

Common error

Avoid using "let me refer" without a clear indication of what you are referring to. Always specify the source or information to which you are directing the audience to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me refer" functions as a discourse marker, signaling an intention to guide the listener or reader toward a relevant source of information. As seen in Ludwig, it's commonly used to introduce citations or references that support an argument or provide further detail. It sets the stage for providing credible evidence or alternative viewpoints.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let me refer" is a useful tool for guiding your audience to relevant sources of information. As validated by Ludwig, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, be sure to provide a clear and specific reference to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider using "allow me to direct you" or "permit me to point you towards" for a more formal tone. The phrase serves as a helpful way to strengthen your arguments by leveraging external expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Allow me to direct you

This alternative uses "allow" instead of "let", lending a slightly more formal tone.

Permit me to point you towards

This option is more formal than the original, employing "permit" and "point you towards".

May I suggest you consult

This phrase adds a layer of suggestion and deference, softening the direction.

I would like to draw your attention to

This alternative is a more elaborate and formal way of directing attention.

For further information, see

This is a concise and direct way to point to further reading or resources.

Please consider reviewing

This option softens the command, making it a polite request.

It may be useful to examine

This option emphasizes the utility of the source rather than directly directing someone.

You might find it helpful to look at

This softens the direction and focuses on the potential benefit to the listener.

Have a look at

This is an informal way of suggesting someone check something out.

Check out

Very casual and quick suggestion.

FAQs

How can I use "let me refer" in a sentence?

Use "let me refer" to direct someone's attention to a specific source. For example, "Let me refer you to the study by Smith et al. for more information on this topic."

What are some alternatives to "let me refer"?

Alternatives include "allow me to direct you", "permit me to point you towards", or "may I suggest you consult", depending on the level of formality desired.

Is "let me refer you to" the same as "let me reference"?

While similar, "let me refer you to" is more common for directing someone to a specific source or document. "Let me reference" is less frequently used and can sound slightly awkward. It's generally better to use "let me refer you to".

When is it appropriate to use "let me refer" in writing?

It's appropriate in situations where you want to guide the reader to an external resource that supports or elaborates on a point you're making, particularly in academic, professional, or news contexts.