make allusion to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make allusion to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a subtle or indirect reference to something, often in literature or speech. Example: "In her speech, she made allusion to the famous novel to illustrate her point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Up to the end of the 19th century, the bulk of people who read poems had mostly the same education, the same basic things in their head – and so you could make allusion to them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The director tries to stretch to make allusions to classic films -- a techno version of the "Third Man" zither music plays during a walk through Prague -- but there's no moral complexity here.

The New York Times

Furthermore, Bush parallels Jesus' "horrific death in order to rise again" to Mulder's abduction, death, and resurrection later on in "Deadalive", which would further make allusions to the Christ-like nature of Mulder.

Wikipedia

When applicable, make allusions to things that help explain a thought or idea, or that will otherwise give the listener a better idea of what you're trying to say.

WikiHow

She became a morality tale stiff with Schadenfreude, and so many columnists made allusion to Icarus that Private Eye ran a special column.

The Guardian - Books

That show, which appeared at the Public in 2005, and which centered upon the theme of the loss of faith, made allusion to the events of 9/11 without ever referring specifically to them.

The New Yorker

He said he read extensively; he made allusions to Tolstoy and Pushkin, Hemingway and Gertrude Stein.

The New York Times - Sports

Friends expressed shock at their concurrent illnesses and made allusions to Greek tragedy.

The New York Times - Health

But they've made allusions to the fact in our last two proposals that we have to discuss those issues.

The New York Times

He used Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" in one film and he makes allusions to "Brave New World" in another.

The New York Times - Tech

In December 2014 the information ministry was launched to counter Russian propaganda, and it was quickly dubbed the "ministry of truth" by those making allusions to its Orwellian nature.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make allusion to" when you want to subtly reference something familiar to your audience without directly stating it. This can add depth and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid excessive allusions that might confuse or alienate readers unfamiliar with the references. Ensure your allusions enhance understanding rather than obscure it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make allusion to" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate an indirect or subtle reference to something. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make allusion to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase for indirectly referencing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it serves to enrich messages by leveraging shared knowledge. For more direct references, consider alternatives such as "refer to" or "mention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allude to

This is a shorter, more direct synonym, omitting the verb "make".

refer to indirectly

This alternative explicitly states the indirect nature of the reference.

hint at

This suggests a more subtle and less explicit reference.

imply

This focuses on the act of suggesting something without directly stating it.

intimate

Similar to 'imply' but often suggests a more delicate or subtle suggestion.

make a veiled reference to

This emphasizes the hidden or disguised nature of the reference.

drop a hint about

This suggests a casual or offhand way of making a reference.

suggest

A general term for proposing an idea or connection subtly.

draw a parallel to

This focuses on creating a comparison or analogy.

insinuate

This suggests something negative or unflattering in an indirect way.

FAQs

How can I use "make allusion to" in a sentence?

You can use "make allusion to" when you want to indirectly reference something, expecting your audience to understand the connection. For example, "The author's work makes allusion to classical mythology".

What can I say instead of "make allusion to"?

You can use alternatives like "allude to", "refer to indirectly", or "hint at" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "make allusion to" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "make allusion to" when you want to add depth or sophistication to your writing by referencing something familiar to your audience, enhancing their understanding without directly stating it.

What is the difference between "make allusion to" and "refer to"?

"Make allusion to" implies an indirect or subtle reference, while "refer to" suggests a more direct and explicit mention.