Confused about Referred vs Refered? You’re not alone! Many people struggle with knowing which spelling is correct and when to use it. While it may seem like a small difference, using the wrong form can make your writing look careless.
“Referred” is the correct past tense of the verb “refer,” while “refered” is a common misspelling. Understanding the difference helps you write clearly and professionally, in emails, reports, or essays. It’s a simple rule, but one that saves a lot of confusion.
In this guide, we’ll break down the usage, examples, and common mistakes. By the end, you’ll never mix up referred vs refered again!
Quick Answer:
✅ The correct spelling is “referred” with a double “r”. “Refered” is incorrect and should be avoided.
What Does “Referred” Mean?
The word “referred” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “refer.” It means to direct someone to a person, place, or source for information, help, or advice.
Examples of “Referred”:
- The teacher referred the students to the textbook for more information.
- In his email, John referred to the previous meeting notes.
Usage Tip: Always remember that “referred” has a double “r” in the middle.
Why “Refered” is Incorrect
- “Refered” is a common spelling mistake.
- It may happen because many English verbs only add a single “r” when forming the past tense (like “entered” or “offered”).
- However, verbs ending in a single vowel followed by a consonant double the consonant before adding “-ed” if the stress is on the second syllable.
💡 Memory Trick: Think “refer” → double the middle ‘r’ → referred”. A small pause: “Re-R-R-ferred!”
How to Use “Referred” in Sentences
Here are some practical examples:
In emails:
- “I was referred to your department for further assistance.”
On social media:
- “Shoutout to the friend who referred me to this amazing app! 🌟”
In academic writing:
- “As referred in Smith (2020), climate change is accelerating rapidly.”
Referred vs Refered: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Referred ✅ | Refered ❌ |
| Correct spelling | Yes | No |
| Part of speech | Past tense / past participle | Not valid in English |
| Meaning | Directed to someone/something | — |
| Example | She was referred to a doctor. | She was refered to a doctor. ❌ |
| Common usage | Academic, professional, casual | Mistake |
Common Mistakes with “Referred”
- Writing refered with a single “r.”
- Forgetting that it’s always double “r” in past tense.
- Confusing it with “referral,” which is a noun.
Example Mistakes:
- ❌ “He refered me to another department.” → Correct: “He referred me to another department.”
Tip: Whenever you see “refered,” replace it mentally with “double ‘r’” → “referred.”
Real-Life Examples
Emails:
- ✅ “Following your inquiry, you have been referred to our HR team.”
Social Media:
- ✅ “Thanks to @Jane, I was referred to this awesome service!”
News/Articles:
- ✅ “The patient was referred to the hospital after complications.”
Everyday speech:
- ✅ “My friend referred me to a great dentist.”
- ❌ “My friend refered me to a great dentist.”
British vs American English
- Both British and American English use “referred” with the double “r.”
- There’s no regional variation in this spelling, unlike words like “travelled/traveled” or “counsellor/counselor.”
Tips to Remember the Correct Spelling
- Double the “r” in the middle: refer → referred
- Think of stress patterns: “Refer” has the stress on the second syllable → double the consonant.
- Use a mnemonic: “Red R Rides Really Fast” → helps you remember “referred.”
- Check before submitting: A quick proofread or spellcheck can save embarrassment.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Q1: Is “refered” ever correct?
A1: No, “refered” is always incorrect.
Q2: How do you remember the spelling of “referred”?
A2: Remember the double “r” in the middle. Mnemonic: “Red R Rides Really Fast.”
Q3: What is the difference between “referral” and “referred”?
A3: Referral is a noun (the act of sending someone), while referred is the past tense of the verb refer.
Q4: Can I use “referred” in casual conversation?
A4: Absolutely!
Q5: Do British and American English spell it differently?
A5: No. Both use referred with double “r.”
Q6: What is the past tense of “refer”?
A6: The past tense is referred.
Q7: How do I know when to double the consonant in English verbs?
A7: Typically, if a verb ends in a single vowel + consonant and the stress is on the last syllable, double the consonant before adding -ed. Example: refer → referred.
Conclusion
The difference between referred and refered is simple but crucial: “referred” is correct, while “refered” is a common spelling mistake. Remember to double the middle “r” whenever you use the past tense or past participle of “refer.” Using the correct form not only improves your grammar but also makes your writing look professional, clear, and credible. ✅
