which refers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which refers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a noun or pronoun that refers to something previously mentioned. For example: The book, which refers to the current state of the economy, provides invaluable insight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Courting drivers is now a priority at the company, which refers to them as "driver partners".

The New Yorker

#Hatichada, meaning 'we no longer want' which refers to how we feel about our government.

The Guardian

One example is "Burying the Dead," which refers to the familiar iconography of Jesus's entombment.

The New York Times - Arts

The reason stated on the agency's Web site was "overlay work," which refers to roadway resurfacing.

The New York Times

Petts worked with the crowdfunding platform DigVentures, which refers to its work as "citizen science".

The Guardian

Consider his book's title, which refers to an unincorporated parcel of the Mojave.

The New Yorker

The Llama Moment A dream sequence which refers to the writer's visit to his friend, Franz.

The New Yorker

His recent songs include one called "Dinosaurs," which refers to the Cuban leadership.

The New York Times

and "Joe" which refers generically to Joe Eszterhas, a successful screenwriter.

The New Yorker

"We have also included the tjala (honey ant), which refers to our country.

The Guardian - Arts

It's an acronym of Intan Khatulistiwa Esa Abadi, which refers to the rattan industry.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which refers" to clearly define a term or concept that might be unfamiliar to your audience. This avoids ambiguity and ensures readers understand the specific meaning you intend.

Common error

Avoid using "that refers" when a nonrestrictive clause is needed. "Which refers", preceded by a comma, introduces additional, non-essential information. "That refers" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which refers" functions as a relative clause introducer, specifically a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) relative clause. It provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause, as Ludwig confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which refers" is a versatile phrase used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that provide definitions or additional information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's prevalent in diverse writing contexts, from scientific papers to news articles, but predominantly found in Science and News & Media. To enhance your writing, use "which refers" to clarify terms and avoid confusion with "that refers". Remember, "which refers" adds extra detail, while "that refers" is essential to the sentence's meaning. Use synonyms like "that relates to" or "that pertains to" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that relates to

Substitutes "refers" with "relates to", indicating a connection or association.

that alludes to

Uses "alludes to" instead of "refers", suggesting a more indirect or suggestive connection.

that pertains to

Replaces "refers" with "pertains to", indicating relevance or applicability.

that denotes

Replaces "refers" with "denotes", indicating a precise or literal meaning.

that is connected to

Uses a more explicit phrase, "is connected to", to show a direct link.

that corresponds to

Employs "corresponds to", implying a matching or analogous relationship.

that is indicative of

Uses "is indicative of" to suggest that the first element is a sign or symptom of the second.

that signifies

Uses "signifies" to suggest that the first element is a symbol for the second.

that highlights

Emphasizes the act of drawing attention to a specific aspect.

that is known as

Shifts the focus to naming or identifying something, rather than referencing.

FAQs

How do I use "which refers" in a sentence?

Use "which refers" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun. For example, "The term 'artificial intelligence', "which refers" to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, is increasingly relevant."

What can I say instead of "which refers"?

You can use alternatives like "that relates to", "that pertains to", or "that alludes to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that refers" instead of "which refers"?

"Which refers", preceded by a comma, introduces nonessential information. "That refers" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. The choice depends on whether the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which refers" and "which means"?

"Which refers" is used when you are pointing to what something is known as or relates to. "Which means" is used when explaining the definition or implication of something. For example, 'The acronym STEM, "which refers" to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is crucial for future innovation' vs. 'The project failed, "which means" we need to re-evaluate our strategy'.