acts as a reference point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acts as a reference point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that serves as a standard or basis for comparison or evaluation. Example: "In this study, the previous research acts as a reference point for our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In addition, the feature level defined as the default also acts as a reference point by increasing the sales of levels near to it.

Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services

It acts as a reference point for that group.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Passport then acts as a reference point so if a customer has any questions about his or her package, they are fielded by Passport.

TechCrunch

Such an environment is a permanent 'snapshot' of tools and results and acts as a reference point for replication, troubleshooting and change management We have done this for results published in Briefings in Bioinformatics, and welcome discussion and feedback on our approach.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

Most of the electrophiles (15 22) exhibit calculated log P (cLogP) values much higher than that of NEM (14), which causes rapid loss of K+ via Kef after its reaction with GSH and acts as a reference point for permeation into the cytoplasm for the other electrophiles.

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

According to its website, the aims of the group are to "promote collaboration", "act as a reference point", and "influence policy on issues related to mental well-being in HE".

The Guardian

It's not what I'd do but I'm not going to launch a tirade about it :) As a tool I suppose it could be a useful addendum to an article in order to act as a reference point for a listener, but then if you're going to do that you might as well just add a link to a song by the band you've just written about... Well... we formed after college so (hopefully) we got that out of our systems.

Huffington Post

They found that prepared diagrams acted as a reference point for discussion, allowing the elicitation of information that may not have been obtained through questioning alone.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It is intended to act as a reference point, and to demonstrate that a hasty implementation may well lead to costly results including a loss of confidence in ePHRs which may interfere with future access to technological innovation.

BMC Psychiatry

A convergence of household financial capacity and aukaad (social status) and the cost of care across sectors acted as a reference point from which families defined their sphere of access to care.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The +1 nucleosome could then act as a reference point for the spacing of arrays of coding region nucleosomes directed by the Isw1 and Chd1 proteins (Zhang et al., 2011).

Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acts as a reference point", ensure the context clearly defines what is being referenced and why it serves as a basis for comparison or evaluation.

Common error

Avoid using "acts as a reference point" when the reference is unclear or undefined. Ensure the reader understands precisely what standard or basis is being used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acts as a reference point" functions as a predicative expression, indicating the role or purpose of something. It specifies that something serves as a standard or basis for comparison or evaluation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acts as a reference point" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that serves as a standard for comparison or evaluation. While Ludwig identifies it as a valid phrase, it's relatively rare in occurrence. The phrase is versatile enough to be used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Remember to clearly define what is being referenced to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "serves as a benchmark" or "functions as a guide" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serves as a benchmark

Focuses on the role as a standard for evaluation.

functions as a guide

Emphasizes the aspect of providing direction or guidance.

provides a baseline

Highlights the establishment of a foundation for comparison.

sets a precedent

Indicates that it establishes an example for future actions.

offers a frame of reference

Focuses on providing a perspective or context for understanding.

establishes a standard

Highlights the setting of a criterion or norm.

works as a touchstone

Implies a reliable measure of quality or authenticity.

gives a comparative basis

Focuses on offering a foundation for making comparisons.

supplies a point of comparison

Emphasizes the supply of an element for comparing one thing with another.

serves as an anchor

Focuses on the provision of stability or security.

FAQs

How can I use "acts as a reference point" in a sentence?

You can use "acts as a reference point" to indicate something that serves as a standard for comparison or evaluation. For example, "The previous study acts as a reference point for our current research."

What can I say instead of "acts as a reference point"?

Alternatives include "serves as a benchmark", "functions as a guide", or "provides a baseline" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "acts as a reference point" in writing?

It's appropriate when you need to highlight that something is serving as a standard, guide, or basis for comparison. Ensure the subject clearly informs or provides context.

What is the difference between "acts as a reference point" and "serves as a benchmark"?

"Acts as a reference point" is a general phrase, while "serves as a benchmark" specifically indicates something that sets a standard of excellence against which others are measured. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.