refer on

USAGE SUMMARY

"refer on" is not grammatically correct in written English.
To use a similar phrase, you could say "refer to" instead. For example: "Please refer to the attached document for more information."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

By using the term "citizenship regimes", Koopmans et al., (2005) refer, on the one hand, to individual access to nationality and, on the other hand, to cultural group rights.

Comparative Migration Studies

However, few reports refer on the influence of GQDs on enzyme performance.

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy

Or let op-ed columnist Harold Meyerson refer on Dec. 20 to the "Catholic Church's inimitable backwardness"?

The Washington Post

There is no single volume to which medicinal chemists and biotechnologists can refer on the subject of enzymatic mechanisms.

Stanford University

Community Admiral nurses may also run therapy groups for families, refer on to other health and social care support, or advise on communication with someone who has dementia.

The Guardian

She stresses, too, that she will also be the first to refer on if she believes surgery or western treatment – say for blocked tubes – is needed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Compared to those referred on, those not referred on tended to be more deprived (56.2%) (χ=10.539, P-value=0.014), after merging the deprivation quartiles into 'most affluent' and 'most deprived' (Table 3-wrap>).

British Journal of Cancer

Of concern, indigenous people were less likely to be referred on for further evaluation of their eating problems.

BMC Public Health

Kant might be referring, on the one hand, to the late 1750s to mid 1760s.

SEP

Specialist Morlock, one of those charged with murder, was referred on Friday for court-martial proceedings.

The New York Times

In one patient, the initial stage was unknown because she was only referred on relapse.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to direct someone to additional information or a different service, use "refer to" or "refer for" instead of the ungrammatical "refer on".

Common error

Avoid using "refer on" in academic papers, business documents, or formal correspondence. This phrasing is generally seen as ungrammatical and can detract from your credibility. Always opt for "refer to" or another grammatically correct alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer on" functions as a phrasal verb, though it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is often intended to mean to direct someone or something to another source or entity. Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "refer on" appears frequently across various sources, it's important to acknowledge that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies this issue. The intended meaning often revolves around directing attention or transferring responsibility, but the ungrammatical nature can detract from clarity and professionalism. As such, opting for grammatically correct alternatives like ""refer to"" or "refer for" is strongly advised, especially in formal and academic contexts. Despite its common usage, prioritizing grammatical correctness ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refer to

This is the most grammatically correct and common alternative, indicating a direct reference.

refer for

Suggests referring someone for a specific purpose or service.

redirect to

Implies a change of direction towards another resource or entity.

pass on to

Indicates forwarding something or someone to another party.

hand over to

Suggests transferring responsibility or control.

send to

A general term for directing someone or something elsewhere.

guide to

Implies providing guidance toward a resource.

point towards

Suggests indicating a direction or resource.

transfer to

Indicates a formal shift to another entity.

suggest

A more general term for recommending a resource.

FAQs

How should I properly use "refer" in a sentence?

Use "refer to" when directing someone to information: "Please "refer to" the document for details." Use "refer for" when suggesting a service: "I will "refer you for" a consultation".

What is a better alternative to "refer on"?

The phrase ""refer to"" is the most appropriate and grammatically correct alternative. It is widely accepted in formal and informal contexts.

Is "refer on" grammatically correct?

No, "refer on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use ""refer to"" or "refer for".

When should I use "refer to" instead of "refer on"?

Always use ""refer to"" instead of "refer on". The phrase "refer to" is standard English and means to direct attention or make reference to something.