make an allusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an allusion" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to refer to a remark or statement which indirectly suggests something else, often a past event, by comparing it to a current situation. Example: The CEO made an allusion to the company's failures in the last fiscal year when he mentioned the need to take corrective action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I'm doing that now . . . and hardly a class goes by when I don't make an allusion that prompts my students to stare at me as if I just dropped in from the Paleozoic era. . . .

The New Yorker

"We chose the name to make an allusion to the disorder that we are trying to organize," said the programmer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so that his relatives still on the island would not encounter problems with the Cuban authorities.

The New York Times

While Mr. Paul was often left out of the discussion during a debate that did not include questions about his premier issues of the deficit, national debt or foreign policy, he asserted his strong opposition to abortion and did not hesitate to make an allusion to the pressure on Mr. Gingrich about his marriages.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Is Dyer making an allusion to "Under the Volcano" here?

The New Yorker

Then he turned melancholy and made an allusion to his wife and children in the United States.

The New York Times

He made an allusion to the condemned biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Guardian

All I can say is: China -- nothing further," he said, making an allusion to modern global trade agreements.

The New York Times

My first thought was that Mr. Jacobs was making an allusion to global warming — hence the wrecked beach and the mash-up of fashion genres without seasons.

The New York Times

By making an allusion to the film Annie Hall, from which the image of Allen was taken, he intended to comment about tabloid scandal-mongering.

The Guardian

Wright, like so many of his contemporaries, makes an art which comes and goes, and which perhaps is therefore making an allusion to the passing nature of life, and the necessary impermanence of art.

Independent

Joking darkly about Mr. Bush with reporters late Monday, Mr. McCain made an allusion to the Wizard of Oz and said that Mr. Bush "is a combination of the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an allusion", ensure the reference is clear enough for your intended audience to understand the connection, but not so overt that it loses its subtlety. Consider your audience's knowledge base.

Common error

Avoid explicitly stating what the allusion refers to immediately after making it. Overexplaining diminishes the effect and can make your writing seem condescending. Let the reader make the connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an allusion" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of creating an indirect reference to something, drawing upon shared knowledge or cultural context. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an allusion" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of indirectly referencing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and understandable. While not extremely common, it appears frequently enough in news, media, and academic contexts to be considered a useful part of one's vocabulary. It is used to enrich communication by adding layers of meaning. Related phrases include "allude to", "refer indirectly", and "hint at something". When using this phrase, it's important to consider your audience's understanding of the reference to avoid over-explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allude to

Shortened form of the original phrase, focusing on the action of alluding.

make a subtle reference

Emphasizes the understated nature of the allusion.

offer an indirect reference

Highlights the reference as being something offered, rather than directly stated.

refer indirectly

Focuses on the act of referencing rather than the creation of the allusion itself.

suggest indirectly

Highlights the indirectness of the suggestion.

hint at something

Implies a less direct and more subtle reference.

imply a connection

Highlights the suggestion of a link or relationship.

draw a parallel

Suggests a comparison between two distinct things.

intimate a meaning

Implies a more delicate and suggestive reference.

insinuate a point

Suggests a more subtle and potentially negative or manipulative form of reference.

FAQs

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

You can use "make an allusion" to introduce a subtle reference to something else, such as "The author "made an allusion" to Shakespeare's Hamlet in the opening scene".

What are some synonyms for "make an allusion"?

Alternatives to "make an allusion" include "allude to", "refer indirectly", or "hint at something".

What's the difference between "make an allusion" and "state directly"?

"Make an allusion" implies an indirect reference, where the connection is implied rather than explicitly stated. "State directly" means to express something clearly and without ambiguity, the opposite of "making an allusion".

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

It's appropriate to "make an allusion" when you want to add depth or nuance to your writing by referencing something familiar to your audience, trusting they'll understand the implied connection without needing explicit explanation.