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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
refer once
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "refer once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to mention or point to something a single time. Example: "In your report, please refer once to the previous study to support your argument."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(3)
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
6 human-written examples
"It is interesting that the majority of young people we interviewed didn't refer once to 'sexting'sexting
News & Media
He said: "It's a measure of the authoritarian streak of the Labour party that it didn't refer once to liberty in its own manifesto.
News & Media
He did not refer once to the leftist party Syriza, which he had insisted should form part of a coalition after the inconclusive elections in May.
News & Media
Let us refer once more to the instance of supplier reputation.
In that respect I should like to refer once again to personal data protection, because such a balance will need to be debated very thoroughly here in Parliament. .
Science
Since, however, a debate of this kind only comes to life if the pros and cons are discussed openly, I should like to refer once again to a position of this Parliament, namely our call for political plurality to be guaranteed in the composition of the Convention.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
Referring once again to the idolatry of money, he writes: Behind this attitude lurks a rejection of Ethics and a rejection of God.
News & Media
Referring once again to that public service remit, he knows that we cannot afford to let so much news go unreported.
News & Media
And referring once again to the Chancellor's embarrassing episode in the first-class compartment, Mr Salmond said: "Westminster would put this first-class nation in the second-class carriages.
News & Media
Referring once again to the results of Table 2, the resistance to the mass transfer diffusion across the liquid film could not be neglected for some adsorbents and initial concentrations of chromate.
Science
We therefore further checked whether the higher incidence of rejection was not a product of this process by further analysing the data using those referred once only (n=13 601).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "refer once" in academic writing, ensure the reference is relevant and adds value to the argument without being redundant.
Common error
Avoid using "refer once" excessively in a short span. If you find yourself needing to refer to the same item multiple times, consider using pronouns or synonyms to maintain a smoother flow.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "refer once" functions as a directive or instruction, typically used to specify that something should be referenced or mentioned a single time. This is used to ensure brevity and avoid redundancy, as suggested by Ludwig.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
40%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "refer once" is a grammatically correct and usable directive to make a single reference to something. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is relatively rare but appears consistently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using "refer once", aim for clarity and avoid redundancy. While not frequently used, understanding its function can aid in precise communication. Alternatives such as "mention one time" or "cite a single time" can provide similar meaning.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
make a single reference
Rephrases "refer once" with slightly more formal language.
mention one time
Focuses on the act of mentioning something a single time, emphasizing brevity.
briefly make reference
Combines brevity with the act of referencing.
cite a single time
Highlights the act of citing a source or information only once.
reference one time
Similar to "refer once", but puts more emphasis on providing a reference.
allude to once
Suggests a brief and indirect reference to something.
just refer
More concise and suggests that the reference is sufficient without needing further detail.
touch upon briefly
Emphasizes that a topic is only mentioned or discussed very shortly.
mention in passing
Suggests a casual and quick mention of something.
give a passing reference
Similar to "mention in passing", highlighting the casual nature of the reference.
FAQs
How can I use "refer once" in a sentence?
You can use "refer once" to instruct someone to mention something a single time, for example: "In your essay, "refer once" to the study by Smith to support your claim."
What are some alternatives to "refer once"?
Alternatives include "mention one time", "cite a single time", or "make a single reference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it grammatically correct to say "refer once"?
Yes, "refer once" is grammatically correct. It is commonly used to indicate a single instance of referencing something within a particular context, as verified by Ludwig.
When should I use "refer once" instead of "refer multiple times"?
Use "refer once" when a single reference is sufficient to make your point. Use "refer multiple times" (or "refer more than once") when you need to reinforce an idea or provide different perspectives through multiple references.
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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
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested