to be referred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be referred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something is to be mentioned or directed to another person or source for information or assistance. Example: "The patient will be referred to a specialist for further evaluation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have to be referred by someone at the hotel".

The New York Times - Travel

It rankles him to be referred to as staff.

The New York Times

They say to be referred to as "Mrs".

The New York Times

The youngest to be referred was a three-year-old.

The Guardian

She no longer wanted to be referred to as "she".

Independent

The mainstream women's movement largely prefer to be referred to as gender activists.

The Guardian

He added, "I would like to be referred to as the announcer in residence".

The New York Times

She does not want to be identified and has asked to be referred to as Clare.

The Guardian

This needs to be referred to in any way in lyrics or song title.

The Guardian - Music

"Sea-level rise was to be referred to as 'nuisance flooding'".

The Guardian

In either case, you have what has come to be referred to as "birthright citizenship".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be referred" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the referral and what the intended outcome is. For example, "The case is to be referred to the Supreme Court for final judgment".

Common error

Avoid using "to be referred" without specifying the recipient or purpose of the referral. Ambiguity can lead to confusion and misdirection. Instead of saying "The patient needs to be referred", specify "The patient needs "to be referred to a specialist"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be referred" functions as a passive infinitive, typically used to indicate that a subject is going to be directed or sent to someone or something else. Ludwig examples show it is used for direction or consultation. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be referred" is a versatile and commonly used expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate that someone or something will be directed toward a specific person, place, or source, often for further evaluation or action. It's grammatically sound and finds frequent use in both news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using "to be referred", clarity is essential; ensure that the recipient and the purpose of the referral are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "to be directed" or "to be sent" exist, "to be referred" carries a specific connotation of formal direction or consultation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be directed

Indicates a more straightforward instruction to go to a specific place or person; less nuanced than a formal referral.

to be sent

Emphasizes the action of dispatching something or someone, often physically, to another location or recipient.

to be delegated

Focuses on assigning responsibility or authority to someone else, specifically for a task or decision.

to be designated

Highlights the act of formally choosing or naming someone or something for a particular purpose or role.

to be assigned

Implies a more structured allocation of tasks, duties, or resources to a specific individual or group.

to be transferred

Suggests a shift of something (e.g. an object, a person) from one place, person, or situation to another.

to be commended

Implies praise or approval, suggesting something is deserving of recognition, which shifts the meaning from direction to evaluation.

to be handed over

Emphasizes the physical act of transferring control or possession, often in a literal sense.

to be remitted

Suggests a formal submission or sending of something (like money or a case) for a decision or action.

to be passed on

Indicates the act of conveying information or responsibility to another person or group.

FAQs

How is the phrase "to be referred" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "to be referred" is generally used to indicate that someone or something is going to be directed or sent to a specific person or place, often for assistance or further evaluation. For example, "The student needs "to be referred to a counselor"".

What are some alternative phrases for "to be referred" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternative phrases such as "to be directed", "to be sent", or "to be delegated". Each of these carries slightly different connotations.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be referred"?

It is appropriate to use "to be referred" when you want to indicate that a person or item will be officially sent or directed to someone or somewhere else, usually for a specific purpose like medical consultation, legal advice, or further assessment. For example, "The document will "to be referred to the committee" for review".

What's the difference between "to be referred" and "to be addressed"?

"To be referred" implies a specific direction or redirection to another entity, while "to be addressed" suggests that a topic or issue needs to be dealt with or considered. For example, a patient might "to be referred" to a specialist, while a problem needs "to be addressed" by management.