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'Allude' means to refer to something indirectly; 'elude' means to escape or avoid something cleverly.
Side-by-side comparison
"Allude" means to make an indirect reference to something without naming it explicitly. You hint at or mention something in passing without addressing it directly.
She alluded to the budget problems without stating them directly in the report.
His speech alluded to Shakespeare several times, which impressed the literary critics.
She alluded to a possible promotion without making any formal commitment.
"Elude" means to escape or avoid something or someone, usually skillfully. An answer eludes you when you cannot find it; a suspect eludes the police.
The solution to the problem continued to elude the research team for months.
The suspect eluded police for three days before being captured at the border.
Fame eluded her throughout her career, though her work was admired by fellow artists.
Common mistake
- •"She eluded to the problem" is wrong: the phrase "elude to" does not exist in English.
- •The verb for referring indirectly is "allude to": "She alluded to the problem".
Trick to remember it
- •"Allude" points toward something.
- •"Elude" starts with E like escape and evade, like "elusive", hard to catch, slipping away.
Quick rule
- •"Allude" = to refer indirectly to something, always with "to".
- •"Elude" = to escape or avoid cleverly.
Did you know?
"Allude" comes from Latin "alludere" (al + ludere = to play toward something, hint playfully). "Elude" comes from "eludere" (e + ludere = to play out of, escape by playing). Both share the Latin root "ludere" (to play), the same root as "ludicrous", "interlude", and "collude". Alluding is a game of references; eluding is a game of escapes.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She _____ to some exciting news during the meeting but didn't say what it was.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The answer to the puzzle _____ him for hours, but he finally got it.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy