refers

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'refers' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is related to something else, or when you want to direct someone to a specific place or thing. Example sentence: The term 'social media' often refers to websites and apps that allow users to create and share content.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the cycling sense, "nervous" refers to a vicious spiral in which the entire peloton is aware that the safest place to be is in the front 20 or so – this is a basic racing principle taught at junior level – with the upshot that every team leader with a purpose wants to be in the first 20 riders with as many of their team-mates as can manage it.

The Guardian - Sport

The music to which she refers is the eruption of barks and yelps from the pack of hounds in the neighbouring wood.

The Guardian

My current physiotherapist emerges in one of these searches and being the ultimate professional, she refers me immediately.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Growing up on the farm, surrounded by animals and cared for by those he still refers to lovingly as "Mother and Father", he became a voracious reader, excelled in school, travelled to Buenos Aires to study music and finally returned to Olavarría to become a successful music teacher and professional musician with his own band, the Ignacio Hurban Grupo.

The Guardian

The report refers to Ronald Kessler's book The CIA At War.

The Guardian

Jeremy Paxman, in a column inside, refers to Sturgeon being "pre-eminent" in the debate.

The Guardian

A 16 January 1979 letter refers to my five-year-old being off school because there was no heating: "We've heard that the school had a delivery of oil late this morning, but the heating won't be immediate for various reasons.

The Guardian

It also says that it refers to "historical events" which are "unhelpful" in current peace negotiations.

The Guardian - Opinion

This word remains very rare, largely because the phenomenon it refers to is still in its infancy.

The Guardian - Books

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the film, told from the British perspective, is inescapably dated and politically incorrect: Caine's character refers to the enemy as "fuzzies" and the recruits on his own side as "cowardly blacks".

The Guardian

One of the files refers to Houston police officers who stopped two men and a woman taking photographs near the city's industrial port, noting they were using a "large and sophisticated looking" camera.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refers" when you want to clearly indicate that a term or concept is linked to something specific. Ensure the connection is evident to your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "refer" when the subject is singular; always use "refers" for singular subjects to maintain correct grammar.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "refers" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. As Ludwig AI points out, this form is used when the subject is singular. For example, "The report refers to Ronald Kessler's book The CIA At War."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refers" is a grammatically correct and very common verb used to indicate a relationship or connection between a subject and something else. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage in writing. It's frequently found in news, formal, and scientific contexts, making it a versatile term. Remember to use "refers" with singular subjects and consider related phrases like "alludes to" or "indicates" for variety. Be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning when choosing alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relates to

Suggests a broader connection or association between things.

indicates

Suggests a more direct pointing out or signaling of something.

denotes

Emphasizes the literal or dictionary definition of a term.

is connected to

Directly states a link or relationship.

alludes to

Implies an indirect reference, often hinting at something without explicitly stating it.

signifies

Highlights the symbolic meaning or importance of something.

is associated with

Implies a common link or occurrence between things.

pertains to

Indicates a relevance or connection to a specific subject matter.

points to

Suggests a directional relationship, indicating where to look for something.

corresponds to

Highlights a similarity or equivalence between things.

FAQs

How do I use "refers" in a sentence?

Use "refers" to indicate that a word, phrase, or concept is related to or designates something. For example, "The term 'artificial intelligence' "refers" to the ability of a computer to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence".

What can I say instead of "refers"?

You can use alternatives like "alludes to", "indicates", or "denotes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "refer" or "refers"?

"Refer" is the base form of the verb, used with plural subjects or the pronouns I, you, we, and they. "Refers" is the third-person singular form, used with singular subjects (he, she, it).

What's the difference between "relates to" and "refers to"?

"Relates to" suggests a connection or association, while "refers to" more specifically indicates that something designates or defines something else. "The study relates to climate change," versus "The term 'global warming' "refers" to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature".