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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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refer of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I refer, of course, to novelists.

News & Media

The New York Times

I refer of course to Edward Miliband.

News & Media

The Guardian

I refer, of course, to corporate America.

News & Media

The New York Times

I refer, of course, to the current ICT curriculum.

News & Media

The Guardian

I refer, of course, to thunderbolts from heaven.

I refer, of course, to the Farting Shatner incident.

News & Media

The Guardian

I refer, of course, to the curse of holiday music.

News & Media

The New York Times

I refer of course to the case of Trayvon Martin.

News & Media

The New York Times

I refer, of course, to Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility in Lake Wobegon.

I refer, of course, to the birth of Nicolas Sarkozy's daughter.

We refer, of course to that deathlike convenience, the motor car.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

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".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

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.

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"?

Use "refer to" when you want to direct someone's attention to a specific source, document, or piece of information. For example, "Please refer to the manual for instructions."

What can I use instead of "refer to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cite", "mention", or "allude 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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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: