referring to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "referring to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing or mentioning something related to employment, tasks, or professional responsibilities. Example: "In the meeting, she was referring to work that needed to be completed by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I was running 90-plus90-pluspercentacle -- just about everything but development, which was Larry's," Mr. Lane said, referring to work on new products.

The New York Times

Martin has "a real ability to connect with consumers in the current economic conditions," Mr. Niccol said, referring to work the agency creates for other clients like Geico and Wal-Mart.

The New York Times

Referring to work that he has done with Saez and Stefanie Stantcheva, of M.I.T., Piketty reports, "According to our estimates, the optimal top tax rate in the developed countries is probably above eighty per cent".

The New Yorker

"I've known Michael for a long time, and last year we started doing some projects," Mr. Ross said, referring to work with Vito Acconci and the video artist Peter Campus.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Rosen (speaking on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360) followed it up with words that made it clear that she was referring to work in the paid sense: "She's never really dealt with the kinds of economic issues that a majority of the women in this country are facing".

The New York Times

"When patients report a life expectancy of months, not years, they are more likely to engage in advance care planning and enroll earlier in hospice and not within days of death when it cannot have much benefit," Dr. Prigerson says, referring to work she collaborated on with medical student Jason Lambden '19.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"There's no way not to take an argument home," Ms. Libin said, referring to working with each other.

The New York Times

Other indicators referring to working conditions or number of hours worked were considered superfluous in this context.

Child Indicators Research

(Outsourcing refers to work contracted to an outside firm; offshoring is the shift of work abroad).

The Economist

"Street art" refers to work by visual artists that is created on city streets—oftentimes without permission.

The New York Times

▸ Referred to work performed by non-governmental agencies.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "referring to work", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific work being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the project, task, or field of employment.

Common error

Avoid using "referring to work" without sufficient context, which can leave readers unsure about what specific work is being discussed. Be specific and provide details to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "referring to work" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing a clause that provides context or clarification about a particular task, employment, or professional responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "referring to work" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to contextualize information related to employment, tasks, or projects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and science. While versatile, it’s essential to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "regarding work" or "concerning work" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. By considering these factors, writers can effectively use "referring to work" to enhance clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding work

This alternative replaces "referring to" with "regarding", offering a more concise way to indicate the topic.

concerning work

This alternative uses "concerning" instead of "referring to", focusing on the subject matter.

relating to work

This alternative uses "relating to", emphasizing the connection or relevance to the topic of work.

with reference to work

This alternative adds formality by using "with reference to", suitable for formal contexts.

in connection with work

This alternative highlights a link or association with the work being discussed.

in relation to work

This alternative emphasizes the proportional or comparative aspect in relation to work.

as regards work

This alternative provides a slightly more archaic, yet still valid, substitute.

in terms of work

This alternative focuses on specific aspects or conditions related to work.

pertaining to work

This alternative offers a more formal substitution indicating relevance to work.

relative to work

This alternative highlights the comparative or proportional aspect in relation to work.

FAQs

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

You can use "referring to work" to introduce a topic related to employment or tasks. For example, "When "referring to work" responsibilities, consider the deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "referring to work"?

Alternatives include "regarding work", "concerning work", or "relating to work", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "referring to the work" or "referring to work"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "referring to the work" implies a specific, identifiable piece of work, while "referring to work" is more general. The choice depends on whether you are discussing something specific or work in general.

What's the difference between "referring to work" and "referring to the job"?

"Referring to work" generally encompasses tasks, responsibilities, or a field of employment. "Referring to the job" specifically points to a particular position or role. Thus, "job" is more specific than "work".