What's the difference between these two usages: I was referred to Dr. Crawford by an

[B45]

What's the difference between these two usages:

I was referred to Dr. Crawford by another clinic.

VS

Dr. Crawford was referred to me by another clinic.

Do they mean the same?

 

[Skrej]

No, they're actually opposite in meaning.

In the first one, Dr.Crawford referred you to another clinic. Frequently a doctor will refer a patient to another doctor, particularly a specialist. Sometimes you need that doctor's referral to even get an appointment with the 2nd doctor.

In the second sentence, some other clinic referred Dr. Crawford to you.

I've never actually heard of a doctor being referred to a patient, though. It's always the other way around.

 

[B45]

I was referred to Dr. Crawford by another clinic. - Doesn't sound like Dr. Crawford is referring me elsewhere.

The sentence above sounds more like the other clinic referred me to Dr. Crawford.

 

[Skrej]

Oops, you are correct, I didn't read the first sentence carefully. Some clinic referred me to Dr. Crawford.

Still, patients are referred to doctors, not the other way around, which is what the 2nd sentence is saying.

 

[tedmc]

In both sentences, 'another' clinic did the referring though it is not clear if they are one and the same clinic.
Otherwise both sentences mean the same to me.

 

[bhaisahab]

Doctors are not referred to patients.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Patients are referred to doctors. Doctors are recommended to patients.

 

[B45]

I was referred to Dr. Crawford by another clinic.

So only this one makes sense.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes.