[General] Refer to or make reference to

[Jiayun]

A: How do you usually prepare a report?
B: I usually refer to / make reference to the reports of other companies of the industry which is similar to the one I am dealing with and if the content of such report is useful, I will copy and amend such content to fit my purpose.

Questions:

1. Should I use "refer to" or "make reference to" in the above sentence?
2. The sentence "the reports of other companies of the industry which is similar to the one I am dealing with" sounds clumsy and unnatural to me. Is there any other way to say it?

 

[lotus888]

I prefer "refer to." But, the sentence may be better rewritten as:

I usually research similar industry reports from other companies before I write my report. And if any of the content is useful, I would amend such content to fit my purposes.

Don't use the word "copy". It could imply copyright or intellectual property infringement.


--lotus

 

[Roman55]

It could imply copy-write or intellectual property infringement.

I am not a teacher.

I think you mean copyright.

 

[lotus888]

I was wondering why the spell checker kept correcting me -- late night senior moment.


--lotus