Allude to / Refer to
Different meaningsAllude to means hint at indirectly; refer to means mention or point to directly.
Allude to
Use when
You mean mention something indirectly or hint at it.
Example
“The minutes allude to concerns raised in the closed session.”
Refer to
Use when
You mean mention, identify or direct attention to something explicitly.
Example
“The report refers to the audit findings in section 4.”
Quick check
alluded the report, alluded directly, referred indirectly
Usage note