"refer" and "refer to", how to tell and use? (2025)

Firstly, I searched the whole forum, I did not find what I need, so I have to post again.

Sometimes, I write a mail to somebody and enclose an attachment with mail, at the end of content, usually, I write " please refer to enclosed file for details"

I use "refer to" instead of "refer", but I saw somebody else uses "refer " instead of "refer to".

what's right one?

Thanks

You are correct to use 'refer to'.

Rover

The word refer is often used very loosely and vaguely. I'd prefer to say The enclosed file gives details. That's no longer and avoids the imperative which some people may dislike.

Of the choices you give us, Nicoly, I'd always say refer to. But I'd do so with deep misgivings because in fact you are asking people to look at the file for details, not to refer to it for details. No wonder I dislike the way people use the word refer!

Hi wandle

what dose "refer to" mean in following sentence?　I read it in a text book. I get very frustrated when people refer to me as Hispanic. Hispanic people speak Spanish. I speak Portuguese! How should I handle this type of situation?

dose it mean "..people mention me as Hispanic"? thank you.

wandle said:

Sorry, but I don't agree with the implication that 'refer' can only be transitive. It is regularly used intransitively. We can see this is if we refer to an authoritative dictionary, such as Oxford or Chambers.
Oxford online:
[no object] (refer to) mention or allude to: her mother never referred to him again the Royal Navy is referred to as the Senior Service
[with object] (refer someone to) direct the attention of someone to: I refer my honourable friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago
(refer to) (of a word, phrase, or symbol) describe or denote; have as a referent: the star refers to items which are intended for the advanced learner
Chambers online:
refer to something
1 intrans to mention or make allusion to it.
2 intrans to look to it for information, facts, etc • referred to the notes at the back of the book.
3 intrans to be relevant or relate to it.

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xgll004 said:

What does "refer to" mean in following sentence?　I read it in a text book. I get very frustrated when people refer to me as Hispanic. Hispanic people speak Spanish. I speak Portuguese! How should I handle this type of situation?

dose it mean "..people mention me as Hispanic"? thank you.

Click to expand...

Hello Xgll,

We wouldn't say

. People refer to me as Hispanic means People call me Hispanic - they say I am Hispanic.

It's an example of the very loose way in which people use this verb.

xgll004 said:

Hi wandle
what dose "refer to" mean in following sentence?　I read it in a text book. I get very frustrated when people refer to me as Hispanic. Hispanic people speak Spanish. I speak Portuguese! How should I handle this type of situation?
dose it mean "..people mention me as Hispanic"? thank you.

Click to expand...

In this sentence, it does indeed mean 'People call me Hispanic' or 'say that I am Hispanic'.

It is an example of the first meaning of the verb given in the dictionaries quoted above.
Thus 'the Royal Navy is referred to as the Senior Service' means 'the Royal Navy is called the Senior Service'.

This is a standard meaning of 'refer'.
It is a useful word with a range of meanings which may take a little time to learn but are well worth knowing.

nicoly said:

Firstly, I searched the whole forum, I did not find what I need, so I have to post again.

Sometimes, I write a mail to somebody and enclose an attachment with mail, at the end of content, usually, I write " please refer to enclosed file for details"

I use "refer to" instead of "refer", but I saw somebody else uses "refer " instead of "refer to".

what's right one?

Thanks

Click to expand...

If you write “I refer you to my letter …” , then you know you use the word “refer” correctly and confidently in this case.
However, if you write ”please refer to something for details”, you mean to direct people to “see, look at or find out…” some details elsewhere.