refers with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refers with" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is not a standard expression and does not convey a clear meaning in English. Example: "The author refers with great detail to the historical context of the story." (This should be rephrased for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Danial refers with scorn to Ahmadinejad's behaviour in domestic and especially international politics as "lumpen".

The Guardian

James refers, with withering sarcasm, to "admirers of Rilke's spiritual refinement".

The Guardian - Books

Dan Benishek, in an ad, refers with a tinge of sadness to the "career politician" who is competing with him for a House seat.

The New York Times

The subtitle refers, with few exceptions, to discoveries made by the human eye, and hence on the periphery of mainstream research, which relies on instruments to make its observations.

Nature

It is to Siegfried's Funeral Music that "Funeral Song" audibly refers, with those guttural utterances of the cellos and basses, first creeping up by chromatic steps and then shuffling back down.

The New Yorker

Elizabeth Hardwick refers, with worldly bluntness, to this sharp sense of limitation in an essay in the inaugural New York Review: "Making a living is nothing; the great difficulty is making a point, making a difference with words".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Polymorphisms are referred with respect to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS [36]).

Plosone

Of those, 68% were referred with molar pregnancy and 32% were referred with PMGTN.

Stanford University

Comparing women with PMGTN who were referred with a molar pregnancy versus referred with PMGTN, the women were of equivalent stage and World Health Organization (WHO) score.

Stanford University

Women of all race/ethnic backgrounds referred with HSIL were seen within 60 days in a significantly larger proportion than women referred with ASCUS/LSIL.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

"I refer with confidence to the actions of institutions and support their efforts," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "refers with" in your writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "refers to" or "makes reference to" to ensure effective communication.

Common error

Relying on "refers with" often leads to convoluted sentences. Rephrasing with verbs like "mentions", "cites", or restructuring the sentence entirely can improve readability and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refers with" attempts to function as a verb phrase, aiming to describe the act of making a reference. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is non-standard and often grammatically incorrect. It's typically used to connect a subject with the way they are referencing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "refers with" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags it as non-standard English, advising users to opt for alternatives like "refers to" or "makes reference to" for clarity and correctness. Although examples can be found across news, science, and encyclopedic content, its use can lead to awkward phrasing. Therefore, prioritizing grammatical accuracy ensures more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refers to

This is the most direct and grammatically correct alternative, indicating a simple reference.

makes reference to

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "refers to", adding a degree of emphasis.

alludes to

This suggests a less direct reference, implying a subtle or indirect connection.

points to

This alternative highlights the act of directing attention towards something.

mentions

This is a general term for bringing something up in speech or writing.

deals with

Implies something is discussed in detail.

concerns

Highlights the subject that relates to a person or group.

connects to

Highlights that an element is linked to another element.

associates with

Stresses the relationship between elements or groups.

cites

This implies quoting directly from a source when making the reference.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "refers with" in a sentence?

The phrase "refers with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "refers to" or "makes reference to".

What can I say instead of "refers with"?

You can use alternatives like "refers to", "mentions", or "alludes to" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "refers with"?

While you might find instances of "refers with" in writing, it's generally advisable to rephrase using more standard English. This enhances clarity and avoids potential grammatical issues.

Which is correct, "refers with" or "refers to"?

"Refers to" is the correct and widely accepted phrase. "Refers with" is not a standard English construction.