referring to

USAGE SUMMARY

"referring to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that was previously stated or written. For example, "The company's policy, referring to safety, must be followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be cautious when referring to reference books.

WikiHow

Referring to "these eyes"?

The New York Times

You're referring to flappers?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expect headlines referring to "O'bama".

Independent

He is referring to visitors.

The Economist

Who is "he" referring to?

The New Yorker

I was referring to speech.

The Economist

He was referring to McElroy.

The New York Times - Sports

I am referring to Groucho Marx.

The Economist

What liabilities are they referring to?

The New York Times

I recall him referring to Hayek.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "referring to" to clearly indicate the subject or source you are referencing, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "referring to" in simple sentences where the reference is already obvious. Direct and concise language often improves clarity. For instance, instead of "The report, referring to last year's data, shows a decline", simply write "The report shows a decline" if the context makes it clear you are discussing last year's data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "referring to" functions as a prepositional phrase, connecting a subject to the specific item, person, or source being referenced. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in clarifying the context of a statement, ensuring the reader understands the connection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "referring to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to provide clarity and specificity by linking a subject to its source or context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly used in news and media, but also appears in wiki and scientific writing. While straightforward, it enhances understanding in various forms of communication, but make sure to avoid redundancy in simple statements by removing "referring to" altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reference to

Uses a more formal tone than "referring to".

with regard to

Emphasizes consideration or relation to a specific topic.

regarding

A concise way to introduce the subject being discussed.

concerning

Highlights the relevance of the subject matter.

pertaining to

Indicates a direct relevance or connection to the topic.

in connection with

Suggests an association or link with something else.

alluding to

Implies an indirect reference or hint.

mentioning

Simple act of bringing something to attention.

speaking of

Used to transition to a related topic.

as regards

A formal way to introduce a topic for discussion.

FAQs

How do I use "referring to" in a sentence?

"Referring to" is used to indicate what you are talking about or which source you are citing. For example, "The contract, "referring to" clause 3.2, outlines the terms of payment".

What are some alternatives to "referring to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in reference to", "with regard to", or simply "regarding".

Is it always necessary to use "referring to" when citing a source?

No, it's not always necessary. If the context makes it clear what you are referencing, you can omit "referring to". However, using it can enhance clarity, especially when dealing with multiple sources or complex information.

What's the difference between "referring to" and "in regards to"?

"Referring to" is used to explicitly point out something, while "in regards to" /s/in+regards+to aims to introduce what you are writing or saying about. It's better to use "with regard to" or "regarding" instead of "in regards to".