refer themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refer themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing individuals directing themselves to a particular source or authority for information or assistance. Example: "Patients are encouraged to refer themselves to the specialist if they have ongoing concerns about their health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Inclusion criteria are adults (aged 18 years or over) who are referred by GPs or other members of the primary health care team, or who refer themselves (self-referred) for musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

BMC Health Services Research

Parents can refer themselves, or their child's nurse will do so on their behalf.

The Guardian

Yesterday business secretary Lord Mandelson said he wanted the company's directors to refer themselves to Companies House to be voluntarily barred.

The Guardian - Business

The two-tier system will mean some solicitor firms are given duty contracts to cover new cases while others will be forced to rely only on clients who refer themselves – a system most lawyers fear will be unsustainable.

The Guardian

Such a stance is not any the less regressive simply because some Muslim women may refer themselves – or be referred by others acting on their behalf – to sharia councils.

The Guardian - Opinion

Quite a few of those experiencing mental ill-health want to be able to refer themselves directly to NHS mental health services, rather than having to wait for a GP to do that, she added.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

All three deny any wrongdoing and have referred themselves to the House of Lords commissioner for standards.

The Guardian

Thames Valley police said they had referred themselves to the IPCC.

The Guardian

Bedfordshire police have now referred themselves to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which has begun an investigation.

The Guardian

And both referred themselves to the Standards Commissioner and the MPs, supposedly good and true, to whom he reports.

Independent

The MPs have referred themselves to Parliament's standards watchdog.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refer themselves" when you want to emphasize the individual's agency in seeking a service or assistance, especially when contrasting it with being referred by someone else. For example, "Patients can "refer themselves" to the clinic without a doctor's referral".

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates who is performing the action of referring. Vague pronoun use can lead to confusion. For example, instead of "They can "refer themselves"", specify "The patients can "refer themselves"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of referring is directed back to the subject. As Ludwig points out, this indicates that individuals are the ones initiating the referral process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refer themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that highlights an individual's agency in seeking assistance or recognition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable, appearing in diverse fields ranging from science and news media to general communication. While alternatives like "self-refer" exist, "refer themselves" emphasizes the active role of the individual, making it a valuable and versatile phrase. To ensure clarity, avoid ambiguity by specifying who is performing the action and use it to highlight their autonomous decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-refer

A more concise, hyphenated form expressing the same action of directing oneself for help or attention.

direct themselves

Emphasizes the action of guiding oneself towards a specific resource or service.

self-identify

Focuses on declaring one's own identity or affiliation.

nominate themselves

Focuses on the act of putting oneself forward for a position or opportunity.

self-enroll

Focuses on the act of registering oneself for a program or service.

designate themselves

Highlights the act of assigning a particular title or role to oneself.

apply directly

Highlights the act of submitting an application without intermediary assistance.

present themselves

Emphasizes the act of appearing or making oneself known in a specific way.

volunteer themselves

Emphasizes offering one's services or assistance willingly.

personally request

Highlights the act of making a request oneself.

FAQs

How is "refer themselves" used in a sentence?

The phrase "refer themselves" indicates that individuals are directing themselves to a particular service or authority without needing an intermediary. For instance, "Patients are encouraged to "refer themselves" to the specialist if they have ongoing concerns about their health".

What are some alternatives to "refer themselves"?

You can use alternatives such as "self-refer", "direct themselves", or "self-identify" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "refer themselves"?

While the "self-" prefix can often replace "themselves", using "refer themselves" emphasizes the active choice of the individual, particularly in contrast to being referred by someone else. The choice depends on the desired nuance.

Which is correct, "refer themselves" or "self-refer"?

Both "refer themselves" and "self-refer" are correct. "Self-refer" is a more concise and modern term, while "refer themselves" might be preferred in contexts where you want to emphasize the individual's action.