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that can refer to vs that can refer

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'That can refer to' is used when you want to indicate what something can point to or indicate, while 'that can refer' is used when you want to say that something has the ability to point to or indicate something.

Last updated: March 19, 2024

that can refer to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when you want to indicate what something can point to or indicate. It is often followed by the specific thing being referred to.

Examples:

The term 'IT' can refer to information technology.
The word 'book' can refer to a printed or digital publication.
The symbol '+' can refer to addition in mathematics.

Show examples from the web [+]

“That” Can Refer to People. We use who-whom-whose to refer to humans and that-which to refer to inanimate objects and abstractions. Thus: The woman who ...
Apr 21, 2011 ... A word that can refer to an address but also for a contact in general. up vote 1 down vote favorite. I'm creating a database that includes ...
5 days ago ... That can refer to the complement of a preposition: We've got some tennis balls that you can play with. (that refers to some tennis balls and is the ...
That was disgusting! What one thing was disgusting? That can refer to the text message to Skyler, the dirty hands, or the poor choice of ingredients and tools.

Alternatives:

that can point to
that can indicate
that can be used to refer to

that can refer

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when you want to say that something has the ability to point to or indicate something. It is often followed by the action or ability.

Examples:

The index in the book can refer to different sections.
The arrow on the map can refer to the direction of the north.
The color red can refer to danger.

Show examples from the web [+]

“That” Can Refer to People. We use who-whom-whose to refer to humans and that-which to refer to inanimate objects and abstractions. Thus: The woman who ...
Jan 27, 2010 ... “That” can refer to people. A grammatical point that's cropped up a couple of times this week. Can 'that' be used in place of 'who'? Copy Editor ...
That was disgusting! What one thing was disgusting? That can refer to the text message to Skyler, the dirty hands, or the poor choice of ingredients and tools.
Feb 11, 2011 ... The basic differential is that "who" refers strictly to people, and "that" can refer only to anything else: She is the woman who raised me. not.

Alternatives:

that can indicate
that can point to
that has the ability to refer

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