The words "mention" and "refer" are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. "Mention" means to briefly speak or write about something, without going into detail. "Refer" means to explicitly direct someone's attention to something else, often for more information or clarification. Think of "mention" as a quick nod, and "refer" as a direct pointing.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Mention:

  • English Sentence: "She mentioned seeing a dog in the park."
  • Translation: She briefly spoke about having seen a dog in the park.

• Refer:

  • English Sentence: "The teacher referred me to the school's website for more information."
  • Translation: The teacher explicitly directed me to the school's website to find more information.

• Mention:

  • English Sentence: "He mentioned his trip to Paris in passing."
  • Translation: He briefly spoke about his trip to Paris without dwelling on it.

• Refer:

  • English Sentence: "The article refers to several scientific studies to support its claims."
  • Translation: The article explicitly points to several scientific studies to back up its statements.

Notice that "refer" often involves a more direct connection, guiding the listener or reader to a specific source or detail. "Mention", on the other hand, is a more casual and less precise way of bringing something up.

Happy learning!