which refers to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which refers to" is a correct and appropriate phrase to use in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to clarify or explain something that has already been mentioned in the same sentence or in a previous sentence. For example, "Kara is a talented singer, which refers to her first place finish in the local singing competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

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

The New York Times

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

"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

Mr. George's theme song is Bob Marley's "Rat Race," which refers to race and urban problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which refers to" to clarify the meaning of a term or concept immediately after it is introduced, ensuring clarity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "which refers to". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which refers to" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a preceding noun or noun phrase. As noted by Ludwig AI, it clarifies or explains something already mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which refers to" is a versatile phrase used to provide definitions or clarifications within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and common across various domains. The analysis reveals that while the phrase is versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain readability. Remember to use it to clarify terms and concepts, particularly in formal or scientific writing, where precision is key. Considering that alternatives are available (such as "that pertains to" or "that relates to") using these alternatives can improve writing quality and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that relates to

Highlights a connection or association with something else.

that pertains to

Indicates a relevance or connection to a specific subject.

that describes

Focuses on providing a detailed account or explanation.

that indicates

Suggests that something points to or signifies something else.

that corresponds to

Implies a direct relationship or matching connection.

that alludes to

Emphasizes indirect reference or suggestion, rather than a direct definition.

that signifies

Stresses the symbolic meaning or representation.

that defines

Focuses on providing a clear and specific definition.

that is defined as

More formal and precise, emphasizing a specific definition.

that is known as

Highlights common usage or recognition of a term.

FAQs

How can I use "which refers to" in a sentence?

Use "which refers to" to provide additional context or explanation for a term or concept. For example, "The term 'artificial intelligence', "which refers to" the simulation of human intelligence in machines, is widely used in technology today."

What are some alternatives to "which refers to"?

You can use alternatives like "that pertains to", "that relates to", or "that alludes to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "which refers to"?

No, "which refers to" is a relative clause and should not start a sentence. It should be used to add information to a noun or noun phrase already mentioned in the sentence.

What's the difference between "which refers to" and "that refers to"?

"Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information that is not essential to the sentence's meaning, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses, providing essential information. For example, "The book, "which refers to" historical events, is very long" (extra info) vs "The book that refers to historical events is required reading" (essential info).