allude and elude - the difference

Free grammar tips, lessons and tests			Recommended purchases
This site: Grammar Monster on line	Daily tips with Grammar Monster's gadget	Daily tips with Grammar Monster on Twitter	The best grammar reference books	Grammar Monster off line	The only grammar checker we'll endorse
Common grammar errors Easily confused words Grammar terms & definitions Grammar tests Grammar lessons Search this site

ALLUDE / ELUDE

Allude means 'to refer to indirectly'. Elude means 'to avoid' or 'to evade'.

The verbs allude and elude sound very similar, and this is why they are sometimes confused.

Allude

'To allude' means 'to refer to indirectly'. The verbs 'to allude' and 'to mention' are close in meaning, but 'to allude' is less direct. It can be translated as 'to hint at' or 'to offer an indication about'.

Examples:

This Chinese saying alludes to nature's power: "A spark can start a fire that burns the entire prairie."

(The saying does not mention nature's power, but it offers a clue about nature's power. The saying alludes to nature's power.)

"Forewarned is forearmed" alludes to the importance of being in control.

(offers an indication about the importance of being in control)

The judge did not mention his previous crimes specifically, but he alluded to them in his summary.

(hinted at previous crimes)

Elude

'To elude' means 'to avoid', 'to evade' or 'to escape from'.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid try to elude capture.

(try to avoid capture)

Peter Beardsley used to allude defenders with his trademark foot shuffle.

(avoid defenders / should be 'elude')

Select the correct version:

ELUDE AND ESCAPE

The word elude starts with the same letter as escape. This may help you remember its meaning.

Associated lessons:

What are verbs?
List of easily confused words