refer this to

USAGE SUMMARY

"refer this to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to direct someone to consult another person or source for more information on a particular topic. For example: "If you need more information about the company policy, refer this to the HR department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I'm afraid I'll have to refer this to head office.

The Guardian

"The executive board decided to refer this to the capitals," the Korean Energy Development Organization said.

The New York Times

The White House have made clear it was 'a decision by the British Government' and the police have said it was a 'detailed decision making process... reviewed throughout.' Given the sensitivity of this operation and the continued questions about the use of terrorism legislation in this case, Theresa May cannot simply refer this to the police.

The Guardian

Emails to the commissioner released on Friday show that Ms Miller warned Ms Hudson that she was unhappy over the way the investigation was being handled: "It may be that I shall need to refer this to the supervisory jurisdiction of the Standards Committee, but I hope this can be avoided," Ms Miller wrote.

Independent

You can just refer this to your security.

TechCrunch

In the first case, we set ρ k =ρ=2 and refer this to the fixed matrix L in Fig. 5, while in the second case, we select ρ k to be a random process uniformly distributed between zero and two and refer this to the random matrix L k in Fig. 6.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I have today referred this to the Independent Police Complaints Commission".

BBC

We have referred this matter to our insurance representatives".

The New York Times

Esposito referred this reporter to an NBC News spokeswoman.

Huffington Post

gloiocephala to refer to this taxon.

Wikipedia

(Scientists refer to this as the "commitment to warming").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refer this to", ensure the recipient is clearly identified to avoid confusion. For example, "Refer this to the marketing department" is more specific than just "Refer this to someone."

Common error

While "refer this to" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ask them" or "check with someone" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer this to" functions primarily as a transitive phrasal verb. It signifies the act of directing something (a matter, query, etc.) towards a specific person or entity for further action or information. As Ludwig shows, this commonly involves directing tasks or questions to relevant departments or individuals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "refer this to" is a grammatically correct way to indicate directing something to another party for further attention. Ludwig AI confirms this usability in written English. While not incorrect, it leans toward formality and might be replaced with simpler terms in casual settings. Examples primarily come from News & Media and Science sources, reflecting a professional or neutral register. When you use "refer this to", be specific about who you are referring something to. Overall, while relatively uncommon, its meaning is clear and its usage is justifiable in the appropriate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct this to

This alternative uses a more direct verb, emphasizing the act of sending something to a specific recipient.

pass this on to

This suggests a transfer of information or responsibility to someone else.

forward this to

Similar to "pass on", but implies sending something that was received from someone else.

submit this to

Implies a more formal process of presenting something for consideration or approval.

hand this over to

Emphasizes the physical transfer of something to another person.

route this to

Suggests directing something along a specific path or channel.

bring this to the attention of

Highlights the act of making someone aware of something.

commend this to

This is used to recommend or entrust something to someone's care or consideration.

take this up with

Implies discussing a matter with someone, often to seek resolution or guidance.

assign this to

Suggests delegating a task or responsibility to someone.

FAQs

What does "refer this to" mean?

The phrase "refer this to" means to direct something, such as a question, request, or issue, to another person or department for handling or further consideration.

When is it appropriate to use "refer this to"?

It's appropriate to use "refer this to" in professional or formal contexts when you need to direct someone to another person or source for assistance. In casual settings, simpler phrases might be more suitable.

What can I say instead of "refer this to"?

You can use alternatives like "direct this to", "pass this on to", or "forward this to" depending on the context.

Is "refer this to" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "refer this to" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "ask someone else" or "check with someone."