refer the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refer the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when directing someone to consider or address a particular problem or topic, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "I will refer the issue to the appropriate department for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The United Nations Security Council should refer the issue to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which is competent to penalize crimes against humanity.

The New York Times

Should I refer the issue up?

The Guardian - Opinion

But perhaps he will refer the issue to the supreme court.

The Guardian

The Tory majority voted instead to refer the issue to the committee on arms exports controls.

The Guardian

Eisgruber agreed to refer the issue to the board of trustees.

The Washington Post

If you are in any doubt, refer the issue to your department head.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But she said the governor would not "be personally referring" the issue to the authorities.

The New York Times

"I can't explain that," Mr. Hadley said, referring the issue back to Mr. Tenet.

The New York Times

Judge Kennedy had referred the issue to the magistrate for a recommendation.

The New York Times

His company, Buccleuch Estates, announced it is referring the issue to the Scottish tenant farmers commissioner for investigation.

The Times

The lord chancellor's standing committee referred the issue to the Bar Council of England and Wales, which has rejected police arguments that consecutive translation should be provided instead.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refer the issue", clearly specify to whom the issue is being referred and why. This ensures the recipient understands their role and responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "refer the issue" without specifying the receiving party. Ambiguity can lead to delays and inaction. Always be specific about who is responsible for handling the issue next.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer the issue" serves as a verb phrase, indicating the action of directing a particular matter to another person or entity for consideration or resolution. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refer the issue" is a commonly used phrase to indicate the act of directing a matter to another person or entity for resolution. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, and the phrase suggests a relatively neutral to formal tone. For effective communication, it is best practice to specify clearly to whom the issue is being referred. Alternatives such as "escalate the matter" or "hand over the matter" may be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

send the issue to

A more direct and less formal way of saying "refer the issue".

hand over the matter

Emphasizes the act of relinquishing control or responsibility.

escalate the matter

Focuses on raising the issue to a higher level of authority or urgency.

submit the question

Focuses on formally presenting the issue for consideration.

direct the concern

Suggests guiding the issue towards a specific department or individual.

delegate the task

Highlights the assignment of a specific task related to the issue.

bring the matter to someone's attention

Emphasizes making someone aware of the issue without necessarily transferring responsibility.

transfer the responsibility

Highlights the shift of accountability for the issue.

pass the buck

Implies avoiding responsibility by delegating the issue.

table the question

Involves postponing the discussion or decision on the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "refer the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "refer the issue" to indicate that a problem or matter is being directed to someone else for handling, such as, "I will refer the issue to the HR department for further investigation".

What's a less formal alternative to "refer the issue"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "pass it on" or "send it to", depending on the context. For example, "I'll "send it to" the relevant team."

When is it appropriate to "refer the issue"?

It's appropriate to "refer the issue" when the matter falls outside your area of expertise or responsibility, or when another party is better equipped to handle it. It is also used when escalation is needed to solve the issue.

What does it mean to "refer the issue" to a committee?

To "refer the issue" to a committee means to formally direct the matter to a specific group for discussion, investigation, and resolution. The committee then takes responsibility for addressing the issue and recommending a course of action.