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Originally Posted by leta I guess that the test is actually correct in this sense and “refer” is not the correct option in this example while owe is one. |
I agree. "refer", "refer to (X)", and "refer (X) to" are not options.
(That's correct)
More clearly, "refer (X) to", even though
near synonymous with "attribute", is semantically awkward in this context: (Note, the symbol "?" represents a semantically awkward construct.)
EX: ?Many people
refer Gray's success
to his intelligence and hard work.
Cf: *Many people
refer to Gray's success to his intelligence and hard work.
(Note also, "refer to" is ambiguous. Does it mean, "refer (X) to" or "refer to (X)"? The two are sematically different.)
As for "owe", it's reflexive;e.g., to owe
one's (own) success, not "to owe
someone else's success".
Does that help?
