refer back to

USAGE SUMMARY

"refer back to" is a correct phrase and is frequently used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that was previously stated or written about. For example, "As I mentioned in the introductory paragraph, we can refer back to that point when discussing the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What remixes do you refer back to again and again?

The Guardian - Music

Ask them to refer back to their computer research if necessary.

The New York Times

I continue to read, reread and refer back to Madeline Levine's "Teach Your Children Well".

The New York Times

"Two-car crash" seems to refer back to "one death," making it a sort of dangler.

The New York Times

Let us refer back to Eq. (28).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

To obtain the only solution, we need to refer back to the error function Eq. (33).

Earth, Planets and Space

aWe have emphasised the term prepubescent, and will refer back to this later.

Security Informatics

As important, YouTube would refer back to ESPN.com, ABC.com and the other Disney sites.

Forbes

However, both series refer back to book III which in turn refers to book I.

SEP

Interactions are recorded so you can refer back to them months later.

Forbes

Just refer back to that 2009 cable.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "refer back to" to clearly link a current point to a previously discussed idea, ensuring coherence and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "refer back to", it's immediately clear what you are referencing. Vague references can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer back to" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of directing attention to something previously mentioned or discussed. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage across various contexts. It serves to create connections between different parts of a text or conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

27%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refer back to" is a very common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to direct attention to previously mentioned information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to ensure clarity and coherence in both formal and informal contexts. The phrase is widely used in news media, scientific publications, and wikis. For clarity, avoid ambiguity by clearly indicating what you are referencing. Consider using alternatives like "revisit" or "return to" for stylistic variation. "Refer back to" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revisit

Focuses on returning to a topic or idea, omitting the explicit act of referencing.

consult again

Highlights the act of seeking information from a source a second time.

look up again

Emphasizes the action of finding information previously consulted.

return to

Implies going back to a previous point or subject, without necessarily referencing it directly.

check again

Stresses the act of verifying something previously reviewed.

go back to

A more general way of saying to return to something previously mentioned.

reflect on

Shifts the focus to thinking deeply about something previously considered.

re-examine

Highlights a renewed and thorough inspection.

consider again

Emphasizes the act of thinking about something anew.

reconsider

Suggests a more thoughtful and possibly revised evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "refer back to" in a sentence?

You can use "refer back to" to connect a current point to something previously mentioned. For example, "As we discussed earlier, we can "revisit" that data point later in the analysis."

What are some alternatives to "refer back to"?

Alternatives include "revisit", "return to", or "consult again" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "refer back again to"?

Yes, "refer back again to" is redundant. The word "back" already implies a return, so "again" is unnecessary. Just use "refer back to".

What's the difference between "refer to" and "refer back to"?

"Refer to" is a general term for mentioning something, while "refer back to" implies specifically returning to something that was already mentioned earlier.