referring to comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "referring to comment" is not entirely correct; it should be "referring to a comment" or "referring to the comment" for clarity. You can use it when you want to indicate that you are discussing or mentioning a specific comment made previously. Example: "In this report, I am referring to the comment made during the last meeting." Alternative expressions include "mentioning the comment" and "alluding to the comment."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By H. W. Chase The New Yorker, May 4 , 1935P. 50 Letter from Chancellor H. W. Chase of N. Y. U., referring to Comment of Mar. 23, 1935, commenting on the modesty of the library in the Chancellor's house.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Each code/package comes with a DESCRIPTION and README files, but often you need to refer to comment text within the code for details.

Harvard University

It did not mention any countries but may have been referring to comments by Luis de Guindos, the Spanish economy minister.

The New York Times

Mr. Trump is referring to comments he made during the first presidential debate on Sept. 26, 2016.

The New York Times

"A bunch of people kept calling it a therapy session," Sinno said, referring to comments he read on social media.

The New Yorker

He was referring to comments over the summer by several lawmakers in the chancellor's coalition who openly discussed a Greek exit from the euro zone.

The New York Times

In a separate cable referring to comments made to the US by the Maltese ambassador, Hammarberg is accused of seeing himself as "God's gift to the world".

The Guardian

Trump was apparently referring to comments McCabe has made recently, amid a media blitz ahead of the release of his book about working in Trump's administration.

The Washington Post

"We already issued two statements on this," said Badr Abdellatty, Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman, referring to comments made by the Egyptian government over the weekend.

The Guardian

He was apparently referring to comments last week by the head of the Economic Planning Agency, Taichi Sakaiya, who said recent indicators showed that the economy would not deteriorate further.

The New York Times

"This judge had an enormous amount of pressure on him," Mr. Tacopina said, referring to comments made by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg criticizing the jury's verdict.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "referring to comment", ensure the context clearly identifies which specific comment you are referencing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "referring to comment" without providing enough context for the reader to understand which comment is being referenced. Always ensure there is a clear antecedent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "referring to comment" functions as a present participle phrase, typically used as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that someone or something is making a connection to a previously stated comment. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase carries a neutral tone.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "referring to comment" functions as a present participle phrase used to connect a current statement to a prior one. Ludwig's analysis shows it has a neutral tone and appears across various contexts such as news, academia, and scientific writing. While grammatically acceptable, ensuring clarity by specifying the comment being referenced is crucial for effective communication. Based on the available data and examples, Ludwig indicates that the phrase is relatively rare, suggesting that more direct alternatives might be preferred in many situations. The aim of the guidance is that you use the phrase to establish a clear connection with a previous argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reference to comment

Replaces "referring" with "in reference", creating a more formal tone.

with reference to comment

Similar to "in reference to", offering a formal alternative.

alluding to comment

Uses "alluding" to indicate a less direct reference.

mentioning comment

Replaces "referring" with the more direct "mentioning".

concerning comment

Uses "concerning" to indicate the subject matter being discussed.

regarding comment

Similar to "concerning", focusing on the topic of the comment.

in connection with comment

Indicates a relationship or link to the comment.

related to comment

A more general way of indicating a connection.

touching on comment

Implies a brief or superficial mention of the comment.

speaking of comment

Introduces the comment as a subject of conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "referring to comment" in a sentence?

You can use "referring to comment" to indicate that you are alluding to a previous statement, for example: "The speaker, "referring to comment" made earlier, reiterated his position".

What's a more formal way to say "referring to comment"?

More formal alternatives include "in reference to the comment" or "with regard to the comment".

Is it always necessary to specify which comment I'm "referring to"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the comment provides clarity and avoids confusion, especially when multiple comments have been made.

What are some common synonyms for "referring to comment"?

Alternatives include "mentioning the comment", "alluding to the comment", or "in connection with the comment".