The noun form for allude was explored in “Allusion vs Delusion vs Illusion“; this post discovers the difference — minute as it may be (even refer uses allude to as part of its definition!) — between allude and refer.
Seriously though, to allude to something is to dance around it, to “glance” at it indirectly, to suggest.
To refer to something or someone is to be direct and clear.
Be aware this pair of word confusions, allude vs refer, is a homonym.
You may also want to explore the posts, “Delusive vs Elusive vs Illusive” and/or “Allusion vs Delusion vs Illusion“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
If you found this post on “Allude versus Refer” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.
| Allude | Refer |
|---|---|
XX377 Memorial 3 is Nimbus227’s own work and is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. — The number “205” is a subtle memorial that alludes to 205 Signal Squadron. |
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop is Rklawton’s own work under the CC BY 2.5 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — The menu board refers to the food sold here at Maid-Rite. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Verb, intransitive
Third person present verb: alludes |
Verb, intransitive & transitive
Third person present verb: refers |
| Usually allude + to
Suggest or call attention to indirectly
[Usually followed by to] To contain a casual or indirect reference |
Verb, intransitive: [refer to] Mention or allude to
[refer to] Read or otherwise use (a source of information) in order to ascertain something
Verb, transitive: [refer something to] To hand over or submit for information, consideration, decision, etc., to (another body, typically one with more authority or expertise) for a decision
[Archaic; refer something to] Trace or attribute something to (someone or something) as a cause or source
To direct for information or anything required To have relation
|
| Examples: | |
| She had a way of alluding to Jean but never saying her name.
We will allude briefly to the main points. The photographs allude to the Italian Baroque style. He often alluded to his poverty. The letter alludes to something now forgotten. |
Verb, intransitive: The reports of the commission are often referred to in the media. New York is frequently referred to as the Big Apple. The term rhetoric almost invariably refers to persuasion. I always refer to a dictionary when I come across a new word. Verb, transitive: I refer my colleague to the reply that I gave some moments ago. A disagreement arose and the issue was referred back to the Executive Committee. She was referred to a clinical psychologist for counseling. It was the god to whom he habitually referred his highest inspirations. He referred me to books on astrology. The asterisk refers the reader to a footnote. We had to refer the argument to arbitration. The government refers to a plumber’s work as a blue-collar job. This new regulation does not really refer to your company. |
| Derivatives: | |
| Noun: alluding Verb, intransitive: preallude, prealluded, prealluding |
Adjective: referable, referrable, referrible, unreferred, well-referred Noun: referrer, referring Verb: misrefer, misreferred, misreferring Verb, transitive: prerefer, prereferred, prereferring |
| History of the Word: | |
| Late 15th century, in the sense hint at, suggest from the Latin alludere, which is from ad- (toward) + ludere (to play). | Late Middle English from the Old French referer or the Latin referre meaning carry back, which is from re- (back) + ferre (bring). |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Allude versus Refer
Apple Dictionary.com
Word Reference.com: refer
Pinterest Photo Credits:
A Young Woman Deceiving Her Old Husband is an engraving by Crispijn van de Passe courtesy of the Rijksmuseum and is under the CC0 1.0 license, via Look and Learn.
