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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
shall refer to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "shall refer to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal documents to define terms or concepts that will be referenced later in the text. Example: "In this agreement, the term 'Contractor' shall refer to the individual or entity providing services as outlined in Section 2."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
We shall refer to a single defendant.
Academia
Their mother was killed by another nameless character, who I shall refer to as CJ (Cregg).
News & Media
Rule No. 4: Each child shall refer to Mr. McKinley as Dad at home and Robert at work.
News & Media
We shall refer to the encoded numbers as varuints and varints.
Academia
The most challenging ideas are currently found in the application of mobile, ubiquitous, pervasive, contextualized and seamless technologies for education, which we shall refer to as pervasive education.
This last — satisfaction — is greatly influenced by the aesthetics, associations, and perceptions that the product carries, a combination that we shall refer to as product personality.
Science
We shall refer to them as 'TK' and 'NTK'NTK
Science
Henceforth, I shall refer to their account as GSDL.
Science
Thus, we shall refer to them as global enhancement methods.
We shall refer to this as the individual-frame method.
aFor convenience, we shall refer to slotted ALOHA as ALOHA.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "shall refer to" when formally defining a term or concept that will be used consistently throughout a document. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "shall refer to" in informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "will call" or "we'll use" to maintain a natural tone.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "shall refer to" functions as a defining expression. It is used to introduce a specific meaning or designation to a term, concept, or entity, ensuring consistent understanding throughout the text. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed.
Frequent in
Science
55%
News & Media
20%
Academia
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "shall refer to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in formal writing. It serves to precisely define terms and concepts for consistent understanding, primarily within scientific, academic, and legal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to establish clarity and avoid ambiguity. While highly valuable in formal settings, its use should be limited in informal writing to maintain an appropriate tone. Alternatives include "will denote" or "is defined as". Remember to use this phrase judiciously to enhance the precision of your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
will denote
Replaces "shall refer to" with a more concise and direct term for designation.
will be termed
Uses a passive voice to indicate how something will be called.
will be designated as
Adds specificity by including "as", clarifying the act of designation.
is defined as
Highlights the act of providing a definition for clarity.
will be known as
Indicates that something will be recognized by a particular name or description.
we define as
Specifies that the definition is being provided by the author(s).
is understood to mean
Clarifies that a term is to be interpreted in a particular way.
we will call
A simpler way to introduce a term and its designated name.
is hereby termed
A more formal way to designate a term, often used in legal contexts.
hereafter known as
Indicates that the designated name will be used from this point forward.
FAQs
How can I use "shall refer to" in a sentence?
Use "shall refer to" to formally introduce a term and its definition, such as, "In this study, 'control group' "shall refer to" the participants who did not receive the experimental treatment."
What are some alternatives to "shall refer to"?
You can use alternatives such as "will denote", "will be termed", or "is defined as" depending on the context and desired level of formality.
Is "shall refer to" appropriate for informal writing?
No, "shall refer to" is best suited for formal and legal documents. In informal writing, simpler phrases like "we'll call" or "we'll use" are more appropriate.
What's the difference between "shall refer to" and "will refer to"?
"Shall" is typically used in formal contexts or legal documents to indicate a mandatory or definitive action, while "will" is more commonly used to express a future action or intention. Thus, "shall refer to" suggests a more formal and binding designation than "will refer to".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested