refer to casually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refer to casually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is mentioned or alluded to in a relaxed or informal manner. Example: "In his speech, he chose to refer to casually the challenges faced by the team without going into detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Passion... which you refer to casually as "the Jesus Chainsaw Massacre" (Slate), "plays like the Gospel according to the Marquis de Sade" (Newsweek) and features "a sickening, blood-spurting crucifixion scene that makes Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ look like a Sunday-school picnic" (the New York Post).

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is the nickname used for a woman named "Patricia". Men named Patrick — including the saint honored on March 17 — are referred to casually as "Paddy". Like many Americans, the Republican Party made that mistake, too, in its advertisement for the Trump hat.

The New York Times

In March, President Obama endorsed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, "a program of incentives for homeowners who make energy efficiency investments in their homes," referred to casually as Homestar, or "cash for caulkers".

TechCrunch

Shortly after his plane arrived in New York, Pompeo tweeted that he was looking forward to meeting with Kim Yong Chol and added, "We are committed to the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula". U.S. officials have repeated the four elements so frequently that they refer to it casually by the initials CVID.

The Washington Post

Some lady, who we shall henceforth refer to as "casually pepper spraying consumer," whipped out a pepper spray can and let it rip to keep other (probably crazy) consumers away from the half-off electronics she'd been eyeing.

TechCrunch

It's Australia's alliance with that extraordinary arsenal that allows local pundits to casually refer to Vanuatu as "our backyard" – a phrase symptomatic of unabashed colonialism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Start to casually refer to your apartment as home.

WikiHow

People casually refer to the Meadowlands as swampland.

The New York Times - Sports

Magazines and Web sites casually refer to the "Record Champion" in headlines without mentioning Bayern by name — for that matter, without even specifying the sport.

The New York Times - Sports

When I casually refer to him as a mercenary, Bowman laughs, then quickly turns serious: "I'm a tactics adviser, mate.

The New York Times - Magazine

What we casually refer to as iCloud is many parts, each with a role to play". If any one of those parts fails, the whole service will grind to a halt.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refer to casually" when you want to indicate that something is mentioned in a relaxed, informal way without dwelling on details. This is especially useful in conversational or less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "refer to casually" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like 'mention briefly' or 'allude to indirectly' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refer to casually" functions as a verb phrase, where 'refer to' is the verb indicating the act of mentioning something, and 'casually' is an adverb modifying the verb, specifying the manner in which the reference is made. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refer to casually" is a phrase used to describe making a reference in an informal or relaxed way. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in a wide range of contexts, typically leaning towards neutral to informal settings. While not ideal for highly formal or academic writing, it effectively conveys a light or non-serious treatment of a subject. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar ideas, and understanding common errors, such as overuse in formal contexts, ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refer to informally

Replaces 'casually' with 'informally', keeping the core meaning intact.

make a casual reference to

Directly uses 'casual' but with a slightly more formal structure.

casually allude to

Swaps the order of 'casually' and 'allude', subtly changing the emphasis.

mention in passing

Focuses on the briefness and lack of emphasis in the reference.

allude to briefly

Highlights the indirectness and conciseness of the reference.

speak of in passing

Focuses on the act of speaking and the brevity of the mention.

touch upon lightly

Emphasizes the gentle and superficial nature of the mention.

hint at subtly

Highlights the indirectness and understated nature of the reference.

bring up nonchalantly

Emphasizes the lack of concern or effort in making the reference.

name-drop

Refers specifically to mentioning a name for social or persuasive advantage and has an idiomatic connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "refer to casually" to indicate that something is mentioned in an informal or relaxed manner. For example, "In his speech, he chose to "refer to casually" the challenges faced by the team without going into detail."

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

You can use alternatives like "mention in passing", "allude to briefly", or "touch upon lightly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "refer to casually" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "refer to casually" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives such as "mention briefly" or "allude to indirectly".

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

"Refer to casually" implies a relaxed and informal mention, whereas "mention briefly" simply indicates a short or concise reference without necessarily implying informality. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.