refer to

USAGE SUMMARY

"refer to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean "mention" or "allude to." For example, "He referred to his past successes when discussing his career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We refer to "pharmacy".

The New Yorker

(Please refer to separate announcement).

The New York Times

That would refer to Australia.

The New York Times

What does that refer to?

The New Yorker

Which two refer to McCain?

The New Yorker

'Death' can refer to either.

SEP

These often refer to purification.

Wikipedia

We refer to only three.

Plosone

Don't refer to her.

WikiHow

to refer to people.

WikiHow

"Washroom" can refer to either.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or explanations, use "refer to" to guide your audience to specific sections, figures, or sources for more information. For example, "Refer to Figure 2 for a detailed illustration."

Common error

Avoid using "refer to" without a clear and specific reference point. Saying "refer to the document" is vague; instead, specify "refer to page 3" or "refer to section 2.1" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer to" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to direct the reader or listener's attention to another source of information, a specific detail, or a related topic. As shown by Ludwig, it signals that further information can be found elsewhere.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refer to" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to direct attention to additional information or sources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including Wiki, News & Media, and Science. To enhance clarity, always provide a specific reference point. Alternatives such as ""mention"", "cite", and "allude to" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas, depending on the context. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "refer to" to guide your audience and strengthen your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mention

Direct synonym; focuses on briefly speaking or writing about something.

Allude to

Implies an indirect reference, often subtle or suggestive.

Make reference to

A more verbose and formal way of saying "refer to".

Direct your attention to

More formal and explicitly directs the listener or reader.

Cite

Suggests quoting or mentioning a specific source as evidence.

Call attention to

To highlight or emphasize something.

Draw attention to

Similar to 'call attention to', but with a sense of guiding focus.

Speak about

General term for discussing a topic.

Touch on

To briefly mention or deal with a subject.

Point out

To draw attention to a particular fact or detail.

FAQs

How can I use "refer to" in a sentence?

You can use "refer to" to direct someone's attention to a specific source or piece of information. For example, "Please "refer to the manual" for detailed instructions".

What's the difference between "refer to" and "mention"?

"Refer to" implies directing attention to something else for information or support, while "mention" simply means to briefly speak or write about something. You "refer to" a source, but you "mention" a topic.

Which is correct, "refer to" or "reference"?

"Refer to" is a verb phrase meaning to direct attention to something. "Reference" is a noun meaning a mention of something or a source of information. You can "refer to" a reference list.

What can I say instead of "refer to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cite", "allude to", or "make reference to".