we allude to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we allude to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to refer indirectly to something without mentioning it explicitly. Example: "In our discussion, we allude to the challenges faced by the industry." Alternative expressions include "we refer to" and "we hint at."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We allude to piracy here every so often.

TechCrunch

General Internet culture, things we allude to in like every other post, that sort of thing.

TechCrunch

EH: We allude to that.

Huffington Post

"And we allude to that in the dialogue when Doc says, 'I put gas in the car.' There wouldn't have been any in there".

Huffington Post

"We allude to something," Louis-Dreyfus said of Selina's romantic life in Season 4, before joking, "But the next season, I'm going to have so much sex".

Huffington Post

It is a chance to put a face to the hate we talk about over Thanksgiving dinner, the hate we allude to when we fear for our homeless LGBT youth, the hate that is so theoretical and unreal to our allies -- until they see it on CNN and MSNBC, manifested in the lines for a chicken sandwich.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"How did you know you were going to see me?" We alluded to the press release that read: "INVITATION TO COVER: An amazing double-header evening with Peter Frampton and/or Gina Gershon".

The New York Times

We alluded to most of these limitations in the previous sections, but they warrant reiteration here.

Crime Science

As we alluded to earlier, the most important difference was between inbound and outbound investors.

TechCrunch

As we alluded to above, M&A isn't the only route to liquidity for investors, founders and employees.

TechCrunch

As we alluded to earlier, the global venture capital market is not quite back to recent highs.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, ensure the 'allusion' is clear enough that the reader can actually identify the source or idea you are referencing.

Common error

Do not confuse 'allude' with 'elude'. To 'allude' is to make an indirect reference, whereas to 'elude' means to escape or avoid. For example, 'we allude to the data' is correct, but 'the data alludes us' is a mistake; it should be 'the data eludes us'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we allude to" functions as a transitive verb construction where the subject "we" performs an indirect reference to a specific topic or idea. According to Ludwig AI, it is standard English for signaling that a subject is being mentioned without being explicitly named or detailed. It often appears in introductory or transitional segments of a text.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we allude to" is a sophisticated linguistic tool primarily used in professional and academic writing to reference ideas or facts indirectly. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate that it is particularly prevalent in scientific literature and high-tier journalism. Unlike more direct phrases like "we state" or "we describe", this phrase relies on a level of shared context between the author and the audience. It is grammatically correct and serves as a transition that avoids the wordiness of repeating full definitions or names. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with 'elude' and should ensure the reference is clear enough to be understood by the target reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we refer to

Provides a more direct and explicit mention of the subject matter

we hint at

Suggests a more subtle or cryptic form of indirect mention

we touch on

Indicates a brief or superficial mention of a topic

we point to

Directs the reader attention more forcefully toward a specific piece of evidence

we mention

A neutral alternative that lacks the nuance of indirectness

we imply

Focuses on the logical consequence or hidden meaning behind words

we suggest

Offers an idea for consideration without stating it as a definitive fact

we evoke

Often used when the reference is meant to trigger a feeling or memory

we indicate

Signals or shows a piece of information more formally

we signal

Used to show that a specific concept is being brought into the conversation

FAQs

How to use "we allude to" in a sentence?

You can use it to reference a topic indirectly, such as: "In the following chapter, "we allude to" the historical precedents that shaped this policy."

What is the difference between "we allude to" and "we refer to"?

While "we refer to" is explicit and direct, "we allude to" is typically used for indirect or brief mentions where the subject is not named in detail.

Can I use "we allude to" in formal writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal and academic contexts. You might also consider more formal variations like "we make reference to" or "we indicate" depending on the desired level of directness.

What can I say instead of "we allude to"?

Depending on your intent, you could use phrases like "we hint at" for more subtlety or "we touch on" for a brief overview.