What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
refers
Example
She refers to her notes when giving a presentation. [refers: verb]
Example
The article refers to the latest research on climate change. [refers: verb]
indicate
Example
The sign indicates the direction to the nearest gas station. [indicates: verb]
Example
His tone of voice indicated that he was not happy with the decision. [indicated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicate is more commonly used than refers in everyday language. Indicate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while refers is more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between refers and indicate?
Both refers and indicate can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, indicate may be perceived as more formal due to its directness and clarity.
