What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
referral
Example
My doctor gave me a referral to see a specialist. [referral: noun]
Example
I received a referral from a friend to try out a new restaurant in town. [referral: noun]
mention
Example
She mentioned that she was thinking of taking a trip to Europe. [mentioned: past tense verb]
Example
He made a passing mention of the new project during the meeting. [mention: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mention is more commonly used than referral in everyday language. Mention is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while referral is more specific and often used in professional or medical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between referral and mention?
Referral is typically associated with a more formal tone, while mention can be used in both formal and informal contexts.