referring to vs refer to

Both 'referring to' and 'refer to' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Referring to' is used when talking about someone or something mentioning or alluding to another person or thing. 'Refer to' is used when directing someone to a source of information or mentioning something for consideration.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 1727 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"referring to"

Use 'referring to' when you want to mention or allude to another person or thing in a conversation or text.

Examples:

She was referring to her favorite book during the discussion.
The article kept referring to the importance of education in society.
When referring to the map, please note the key landmarks.
He avoided referring to the sensitive topic during the meeting.
The speaker was referring to a famous quote in his speech.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm referring to the upstairs Italian empire.
Schweikart Cokely keep referring to the optional allowance program.
Italy is referring to case C-75/97.
URI referring to service that provides background map.
The provisions referring to comitology have been deleted.
I have six others referring to procedural irregularities.
Labels referring to organic production are not covered by this paragraph.
There are thousands of documents referring to European values.
I am referring to energy, telecommunications and machinery.
The indicator referring to pricing levels is particularly doubtful.
Of course, I was referring to the lady. Ma'am.
I am certain he was referring to you.
I was referring to your blood pressure.
I was simply referring to the pressure to deliver results, which the private sector seems to require.
If you're referring to patients, those records are also protected.
Possibly you're referring to my theory that humans may have descended from apes.
I'm referring to conditions of a higher nature.
Yes, I'm referring to you.
You will oblige me by not referring to the security breach...
Yes, you're referring to their Project Coast.

Alternatives:

mentioning
alluding to
talking about

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"refer to"

Use 'refer to' when you want to direct someone to a source of information or mention something for consideration.

Examples:

Please refer to the user manual for instructions on how to assemble the product.
In the report, they refer to the impact of climate change on agriculture.
The professor often refers to historical events in his lectures.
I will refer to the notes from our previous meeting for more details.
The book refers to the author's personal experiences.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's insulting to refer to my husband like that.
Please refer to section 6.6 for Special precautions for disposal.
Please refer to chapter 04-03 for further detail.
Please refer to the pushchair retailer for more information.
Please refer to the instruction manual before use.
Please refer to your local dealer for additional information.
Dragon and tiger refer to mountains.
The dates refer to composition, not orchestration.
Some refer to this phenomenon as Spanglish.
Anthropologists refer to these sorts of restrictions as exogamy.
The Reform movement mostly refer to their synagogues as temples.
Allied services all refer to videos.
For Surveying methods and techniques refer to: Observation.
Please refer to the online listings section above.
Physicians should refer to the individual prescribing information for these medicinal products.
Prescribers should refer to national guidelines for influenza vaccination.
Physical factors refer to your current health status in general.
Results from study C04-002 refer to pre- versus post-treatment comparisons.
Please refer to its documentation for more details.
Your lyrics often refer to witchcraft.

Alternatives:

direct to
mention
cite

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referring to vs refer to

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