an essential reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an essential reference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a source of information that is crucial or necessary for understanding a topic or subject matter. Example: "For anyone studying environmental science, this textbook is considered an essential reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An accessible and readable text, it is an essential reference for scholars, policymakers, activists, and citizens interested in climate change, fossil fuels, and environmental sustainability.

Johns Hopkins University

It's an essential reference for wine lovers.

The New York Times - Food

The book has long been an essential reference source for Mexican costume.

The New York Times - Travel

The book will be an essential reference for investors and businesses contemplating entering the Indonesian Market.

Stanford University

It is an essential reference that students, scholars and teachers will consult regularly.

Stanford University

This book will be an essential reference for practitioners of modern machine learning.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But this work is an essential reference, assembling in one place information formerly available only in medical and historical textbooks.

The New York Times - Books

With close to 170 illustrations, Paul T. Frankl and Modern American Design is an essential reference on 20th-century design.

Yale University

Cross-sectional Atlas of the Brain will be an essential reference for neuroscientists and clinicians (neurologists, radiologists, and neurosurgeons).

Harvard University

If you care about politics and agree with Keynes that ideas matter, you will find this an essential reference tool.

The Economist

This can provide an essential reference for designing high-performance wrought Mg alloy sheets suitable for industrial fabrication.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a book or document as "an essential reference", specify the target audience for whom it is essential. For example, "This guide is "an essential reference" for students of marine biology".

Common error

Avoid using "an essential reference" as a generic compliment. Ensure that the resource truly holds significant value and provides unique insights or information within its specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an essential reference" functions as a noun phrase, where "essential" modifies the noun "reference", indicating its critical importance. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

42%

Science

32%

News & Media

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an essential reference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a resource of critical importance. Predominantly found in academic and scientific writing, as highlighted by Ludwig, it effectively communicates the necessity of a resource for understanding a subject or task. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure its use is justified by the genuine value of the reference being described. Considering alternative phrasing, such as "a crucial resource" or "an indispensable guide", can also enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crucial resource

Replaces 'essential' with 'crucial', emphasizing the importance of the reference.

an indispensable guide

Substitutes 'reference' with 'guide', highlighting its role in providing direction and information.

a vital tool

Replaces 'reference' with 'tool', focusing on its utility in a specific task or field.

a key resource

Uses 'key' to underscore the importance of the reference.

a fundamental source

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the reference material.

a primary resource

Highlights the reference as a main or initial source of information.

a necessary resource

Replaces 'essential' with 'necessary', indicating that the reference is required.

a go-to resource

Suggests the reference is the first place someone should look for information.

a must-have guide

Highlights the reference as something that should not be without.

an important source

Uses 'important' to denote the value of the reference.

FAQs

How can I use "an essential reference" in a sentence?

You can use "an essential reference" to describe a resource that is crucial for understanding a particular topic or field. For example, "The textbook is "an essential reference" for students studying quantum physics".

What are some alternatives to saying "an essential reference"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a crucial resource", "an indispensable guide", or "a vital tool", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "an essential reference" or "an important reference"?

"An essential reference" implies that the resource is necessary, while "an important reference" suggests it is valuable but not necessarily indispensable. The choice depends on the degree of necessity you want to convey.

What makes something "an essential reference"?

A resource becomes "an essential reference" when it provides comprehensive, reliable, and crucial information that is fundamental to understanding a subject or performing a task within a specific field.