Allude vs Elude: How to Tell the Difference Between these Two Confusing Words [+ Sentence Examples]

These two verbs, allude and elude, have very different meanings.

To Allude means to refer to something indirectly (in words or perhaps images):

She did not tell me what to get her for Christmas, but she alluded to it, with a hint.

One can only allude to something; you cannot allude something. You may hear the noun that goes with this verb in English class; allusions in literature are references to other famous literary works:

Shakespeare’s poetry contains many allusions to classical myths.

To Elude means to avoid anything, successfully:

They eluded the police and got away by hiding in a canal.

Elude is also often used in the following metaphorical way:

I failed the quiz; the right answers eluded me.

If you cannot remember something or figure something out, you can always say that the answer (or idea, or word) “eludes” you.

How to Use "Allude" in a Sentence

1. Those comments allude to a deeper problem that we need to address.
2. I am not sure what you are trying to allude to, but I am happy with my life.
3. Numerous allusions to the movie is what made me want to see it.
4. The entire novel was a subtle allusion to an important event in the author’s past.
5. She alluded to the fact that her schedule restricts her from visiting more frequently, but her mother wasn’t buying it.
6. The allusion to her schedule is reflective of how she never takes responsibility.
7. His statement was ambiguous so I don't know what he was trying to allude to.
8. The teacher should not allude to her students' poor performance in front of their peers.
9. You're always alluding to something, but you never come out and say it.
10. His comments alluded to his secret hidden agenda.
11. The lawyer alluded once again to the possibility of a plea bargain.
12. The author alludes to the idea that people need to make sacrifices for each other in order for society to function properly.
13. His allusions were interpreted differently by those who heard them.
14. His apparent allusions to the importance of the female form were a little too obvious for me.
15. The author alludes to the concept of a "symbiotic" relationship in the first sentence of her essay.
16. The author alludes to the idea that people need to make sacrifices for each other in order for society to function properly.
17. Allusions are used to add an extra layer of meaning and help the audience connect with the text.
18. She alluded to her feelings for him, but he didn't catch on.
19. She alluded that she was going to break up with him, but he didn't see it coming.
20. The novel alludes to the theme of greed and vanity.
21. She used numerous literary allusions in her stories—a trait most of her readers welcomed.

How to Use "Elude" in a Sentence

1. I had hoped to elude the dangers of the forest, but a snake attacked me the very first night.
2. The boy eluded his mother's gaze and ran into his room.
3. Even though he had eluded capture for years, he was finally apprehended.
4. He eludes the dangers of the streets and walks about at will.
5. The dashing rogue escaped from the merry chase, eluding his pursuers in the shadows with ease.
6. The bandit eluded capture by disappearing into the woods, but he later met his end at the gallows.
7. The fox eluded the hunter's trap with a quick sprint around the fallen log.
8. With a sneer and a feint, he eluded the man's strike and countered with a heavy blow to the head.
9. She was able to elude her captors by disappearing into the night.
10. I couldn't elude the feeling that I was being watched.
11. She had a singular goal—to snatch the elusive butterfly.
12. Their new book will give any reader invaluable insight into the elusive life of this beloved American hero.
13. The woman tried to elude the police officer, but she was unsuccessful.
14. I can't seem to elude the feeling that he's still in love with me.
15. She eluded her responsibilities.
16. He would elude the questions of his friends by changing the subject.
17. The creature proved to be an elusive target for the photographer.
18. The slippery fish was able to elude my grasp and swim away.
19. I always leave home early, so I can elude traffic and get to work on time.