to refer about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to refer about" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "to refer to," which is used when mentioning or alluding to something. Example: "In her presentation, she chose to refer to several studies that support her argument."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Non-urologic hospitalists appeared to refer more patients after an abnormal PSA test than GPs, but seem to refer about as often as PCPs.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A formal system is being introduced for staff across the DfE to refer concerns about extremism to DDCEG.

The Guardian

Late on Thursday, Springsteen's publicist decided to refer questions about the affair to a carefully worded statement on his website.

Independent

The government says his primary role will be to "refer complaints about windfarms to relevant state authorities" – which are already responsible for dealing with them.

The Guardian

The US, however, continues to refer questions about civilian casualties to the Saudis, who remain mum.

Vice

"Being done" used to refer to hearing about your annual bonus.

The Economist

The term is used to refer to just about any type of printer these days, and not just the old-fashioned line printers that used to be common.

The New York Times - Tech

In Mohist texts the word typically seems to refer to a dispassionate concern about the welfare of its object.

SEP

More commonly it is used narrowly to refer to process reliabilism about justification.

SEP

It seems to refer to deliberation or planning about the course of action that would best achieve some end.

SEP

Confusion about how to refer to these new battleship-size armoured cruisers set in almost immediately.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "to refer to" instead of "to refer about". The correct phrase is "refer to" when you want to direct attention to something or someone.

Common error

Avoid using "about" after "refer". The correct preposition to use is "to". Saying "refer about" is a common mistake that makes your writing sound unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to refer about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates the correct form is "to refer to". The intended function is usually to direct attention or make a connection to a particular subject or source.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to refer about" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "to refer to". Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, advising against its use. While it appears in some sources, primarily Science and News & Media, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Remember to use "to refer to" when you want to mention, allude to, or direct attention towards something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to speak about

Changes the verb "refer" to "speak", focusing on the act of talking about something.

to mention about

Replaces "refer" with "mention", emphasizing a brief or casual reference.

to discuss about

Uses "discuss" instead of "refer", highlighting a more detailed conversation.

to see about

Shifts the meaning to investigating or taking care of something.

to relate about

Emphasizes the connection or narrative aspect of sharing information.

to describe about

Focuses on providing details or characteristics of something.

to address about

Highlights the act of dealing with or focusing on a specific topic.

to references about

Changes "refer" to "references", indicating a list or collection of sources.

to inquire about

Focuses on seeking information or asking questions regarding a subject.

to reflect about

Emphasizes contemplation or consideration regarding a topic.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "to refer about"?

The correct phrasing is "to refer to". For example, instead of saying "I want to refer about this topic", say "I want "to refer to" this topic".

Is it grammatically correct to say "to refer about"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use with "refer" in this context is "to". The proper phrase is "to refer to".

What does "to refer to" mean?

"To refer to" means to mention or allude to something or someone. It is used to direct attention or make a connection to a specific subject. For example: "The speaker will "to refer to" several studies during the presentation".

Are there alternatives to "to refer to"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to mention", "to allude to", or "to address". For example: "The author chose "to mention" the historical context".