refer means to refer to something indirectly. It is usually followed by ARRIVElike when one thing “implies” another. hidehas the same origin as refer, which means “to evade” or “escape from perception or understanding.” To remember, keep in mind that evade start with E, like escape And hide.
If your allusion is too confusing, it can elude your readers.
refer And evade share an etymology and part of speech, and sound almost identical, but have quite different meanings in modern usage. Many people count these words among their commonly confused ones, so let’s see how each can be used or abused.
How to use ‘Allude’
Both are verbs, and both are of Latin origin to gathermeans “play.” refer is the older of the two, in use since the early 16th century; evade starting from the middle of the 17th. We determine refer is “yes or gives an indirect reference (as in passing or by suggestion); indirect reference,” and also note that the word is sometimes used broadly to mean “just” (some manuals don’t care about this extended meaning). refer usually, though not always, followed by a preposition ARRIVE.
Fauzia considered persuading her husband to leave as a great victory. So when Muntaz alluded to the risks of such a decision, Fauzia became very short-tempered.— Lilia Momle, Neighbors: A Story of a Murder1995
Every time he heard the suggested topic, he was reminded of an urgent appointment elsewhere; and in all his life he has never regretted anything as much as that he could not, that afternoon, silence the gossipers who had seen him run.— Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, Mhudi1978
How to use ‘Elude’
While refer often used in the sense of ‘avoid direct mention’, the meaning of evade interested in a different type of avoidance: “evading”, “escape from perception, understanding or grasping” and “resisting efforts”.
When sleep eluded her, she read until she fell asleep, the pages still open.— Véronique Tadjo (translated by Wangui wa Goro), Like a Flying Crow2001
As they walked together, Sianana shook her head several times to indicate that something important was evading him, until at last with a smile Lesego said: ‘She told me all the things. her bad character. They’re over.’— Bessie Head, Treasure Collector1992
For an hour, he tried to meet her, but every time he tried to talk to her, she deliberately avoided him.— Martha Mlagala Mvungi, Three Solid Stones1975
Examples of mistakes
It is not uncommon to find examples of each word being used when the other is called.
Second, he should try to bring the Ashes home from England after a string of wins, which has alluded to him on his two tourneys, and the Australian team hasn’t achieved that in two decades. — Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Australia), October 20, 2019
“[Mike Hill] no complaints,” Cynthia replied, evading the fact that her fiancé loved Cynthia’s body the way it was. What a serve!— hollywood life (Los Angeles, CA), October 25, 2020
If you need further assistance in distinguishing between these words, you can remember that evade start with a e and often interested in escape And hidewhile referstart with a ONEis a way of saying About things that are not mentioned directly.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn