Allude means make an indirect reference. Elude means escape, evade, or remain beyond someone’s grasp. Write allude to something and elude something.
Compare a hint and an escape
- “The speaker alluded to a disagreement by mentioning a ‘rough start.’” She hinted at the issue without naming it.
- “The fox eluded the dogs by slipping through a fence.” It escaped them.
- “The answer still eludes me.” The person still cannot work it out.
Listen for the phrase after the verb
In the ordinary pattern, to introduces the thing hinted at after allude. The thing or person avoided comes directly after elude. Compare allude to the problem and elude capture. Allude and elude in Merriam-Webster.
Try it
“The host ___ to a surprise, but the meaning of the clue ___ me.”
Show the answer
Use alluded for the hint and eluded for what you could not understand.
See also Allusion vs. Illusion.
