a reference over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reference over" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as it lacks context and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I need a reference over the project details" does not make sense.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Using normative data from children in the United States as a reference, over a 10-year period in urban areas, there was a slight reduction in the prevalence of underweight children and those with stunting, and a marked increase in overweight and obese children 3.0 versus 5.7% (p<0.001).

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When he repeated it, the crowd filled in the missing word: "Schlonged!"—a reference to Obama's victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primary.

The New Yorker

The letter referenced "over a dozen female celebrities, actresses, models and athletes" whose photos had been stolen, without mentioning specific names.

Los Angeles Times

In the feed-forward path, a learning control rule/strategy is exploited to track the entire span of a reference input over a sequence of iterations.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

In addition, an electrical power circuit is used to show the applicability of the algorithms to engineering problems requiring a precise tracking of a reference profile over a long time range despite disturbances, unmodelled dynamics, and parameter uncertainty.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

More specifically, on the previously created template, we traced a curve within the posterior cingulate cortex, using the callosal curve as a reference, and over this line we placed 4 equispaced ROIs.

Plosone

Two-color microarray hybridizations were performed according to a reference design over the three biological replicates from each genotype.

BMC Plant Biology

Furthermore, plotting a reference range over time, as in Figure 1, shows the increase in PSA level expected with advancing age in a healthy man.

British Journal of Cancer

When assessing the performance of a new technology in measuring regulated variables, a sufficiently large number of measurements should be compared with a reference method over an adequately wide range of values.

Anesthesia and Analgesia

Given the difficulty of manufacturing nanoparticles and the dynamic nature of the industry, relying on one company to provide a reference material over a period of years was deemed inadvisable.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The objective of the phase III GLOW2 study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NVA237 50 μg q.d. in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD compared with placebo and with tiotropium (as a reference comparator) over a longer treatment period of 52 weeks.

European Respiratory Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a reference over" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "a reference regarding", "a reference to", or "a reference about" depending on the context.

Common error

A common mistake is using "over" to indicate the subject of a reference. While sometimes found in informal contexts, it's grammatically unconventional. Ensure clarity by choosing prepositions like "to", "regarding", or "about" to specify what the reference pertains to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reference over" functions as a noun phrase that attempts to specify the subject or scope of a reference. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is not grammatically correct and its meaning is often unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a reference over" is grammatically questionable and lacks clarity in formal English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's advisable to avoid this phrase and opt for more precise alternatives like "a reference to", "a reference regarding", or "a reference about". While it may appear in some contexts, particularly in science and news media, its usage is inconsistent and can lead to misinterpretation. Therefore, prioritizing grammatical correctness and clarity is essential in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reference regarding

Replaces 'over' with 'regarding' to indicate the subject matter of the reference.

a reference concerning

Uses 'concerning' instead of 'over' to specify what the reference pertains to.

a reference about

Substitutes 'over' with 'about' for a more common and grammatically sound construction.

a reference to

Employs 'to' to clearly indicate that the reference is directed towards something.

a source for reference regarding

Adds 'source for reference' to emphasize the role of the point of reference.

a benchmark for

Uses 'benchmark' as an alternative to 'reference', highlighting a standard for comparison.

a standard by which to measure

Replaces 'reference' with 'standard' and includes 'by which to measure' to clarify its purpose.

a point of comparison for

Expresses the idea as 'point of comparison' for clearer understanding.

a frame of reference

Uses a broader phrase 'frame of reference' to denote a set of criteria or values.

in reference to

Uses 'in reference to', a prepositional phrase, instead of 'a reference over'.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "a reference over"?

You can use alternatives like "a reference regarding", "a reference to", or "a reference about" depending on the context.

Is "a reference over" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a reference over" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use more precise prepositions like "to", "regarding", or "concerning" to clarify the relationship between the reference and the subject.

When is it appropriate to use "a reference over"?

While you might encounter "a reference over" in some informal contexts, it's advisable to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives to ensure effective communication.

What's the difference between "a reference over" and "a reference to"?

"A reference over" is not a standard or grammatically recommended phrase. Instead, use "a reference to" to indicate that the reference relates to a specific subject or topic.