refer them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refer them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when directing someone to another person or source for information or assistance. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please refer them to the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he would generally refer them back.

The Guardian

So I said to her, 'Fine, refer them to us'.

The Guardian - Music

They have the ability to reach owners and refer them to you.

The Guardian

You refer them to someone who will take care of the cavities.

The New York Times

I refer them back to his "There is content that should just not be available" comment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"To the extent that we don't have resources, we will refer them to local agencies".

The New York Times

We'd stabilise the wounded patients and then refer them to Sa'dah city if they needed surgery.

The Guardian

We offer advice and guidance to everyone and refer them on to appropriate specialists.

The Guardian

"I will only refer them once I have met them personally," Ms. Ferman said.

The New York Times

I can't refer them to specialist sexual assault counselling on campus, because it doesn't exist.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The earlier you identify the child and refer them for treatment the better the outcome is".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that the person or entity you're referring someone to is prepared to receive them, avoiding unnecessary inconvenience.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "refer them" without providing context about why they are being referred or what the recipient can offer. Always provide clear information to ensure a smooth transition and effective assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer them" functions as a directive verb phrase, indicating an action of directing someone to another source or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refer them" is a versatile directive, commonly used to indicate the act of directing someone to another person, service, or resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and professional settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specify the reason for the referral and the expertise of the destination. Alternatives like "direct them" or "guide them" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct them

Focuses on giving a specific instruction to go somewhere.

guide them

Emphasizes providing assistance in finding the right path or resource.

point them

Highlights indicating a specific direction or person.

send them

Implies transferring someone to another party.

route them

Suggests a more formal or systematic redirection.

transfer them

Emphasizes shifting responsibility or care to another entity.

redirect them

Highlights changing the course or destination.

connect them

Focuses on linking individuals with appropriate resources.

introduce them

Highlights making a formal connection to someone helpful.

recommend them

Suggests advising someone to seek assistance elsewhere.

FAQs

How do I properly use "refer them" in a sentence?

Use "refer them" when you want to direct someone to another person or resource for assistance or information. For example: "If clients have complex legal questions, I "refer them" to a lawyer".

What are some alternatives to using "refer them"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "direct them", "guide them", or "send them". Each alternative carries slightly different nuances.

Is it more appropriate to say "refer them to" or just "refer them"?

While "refer them" is often used on its own, including "to" specifies the destination or recipient of the referral, like so: ""refer them" to a specialist". Both forms can be correct depending on the context.

When should I use "refer them" instead of "recommend them"?

"Refer them" implies a direct action of sending someone to another resource, while "recommend them" is a suggestion. If you are actively directing someone, use ""refer them"". If you are simply suggesting an option, use "recommend them".