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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
refer of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "refer of" is not correct and not usable in written English.
The correct expression would typically be "refer to." Example: "Please refer to the manual for further instructions."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
I refer, of course, to novelists.
News & Media
I refer of course to Edward Miliband.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to corporate America.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to the current ICT curriculum.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to thunderbolts from heaven.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to the Farting Shatner incident.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to the curse of holiday music.
News & Media
I refer of course to the case of Trayvon Martin.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility in Lake Wobegon.
News & Media
I refer, of course, to the birth of Nicolas Sarkozy's daughter.
News & Media
We refer, of course to that deathlike convenience, the motor car.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use "refer to" instead of "refer of". The preposition "to" is essential for grammatical correctness.
Common error
Avoid using "of" after "refer". The correct preposition to use with "refer" when indicating what is being referenced is "to".
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "refer of" is an incorrect combination of a verb and a preposition. The verb "refer" requires the preposition "to" to correctly indicate a reference or direction. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is not usable in written English.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "refer of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in all forms of writing and speech. The correct phrase is "refer to". As indicated by Ludwig, this correction is crucial for maintaining clarity and credibility in communication. Using correct grammar, such as "refer to" instead of "refer of", ensures that your message is accurately conveyed and understood. Always prioritize using the correct preposition to avoid grammatical errors.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
refer to
Corrects the grammatical error by using the correct preposition.
make reference to
A more verbose but grammatically correct way to express referencing.
cite
Offers a more formal way to mention a source or example.
mention
Provides a general way to bring something to attention.
allude to
Suggests an indirect reference.
point to
Suggests indicating or highlighting something.
elude to
To make an indirect reference to something.
speak of
Indicates talking about something.
touch on
Indicates briefly mentioning a subject.
talk about
Offers a general way to address a topic.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say "refer of"?
The correct way to say "refer of" is to use the phrase "refer to". The preposition "to" is required for correct grammar.
When should I use "refer to"?
What can I use instead of "refer to"?
Is "refer of" ever correct?
No, "refer of" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrasing is always "refer to".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested