an reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an reference" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a reference" because "reference" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "Please provide a reference for your previous work experience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If you have an reference image and want to match its WCS, use the reproject_image tool instead.

Harvard University

The kernels may act as an reference for performance comparisons and as a blue print for optimization strategies.

Computers & Fluids

"You have been brave enough to step into this new unseen world that is sometimes dangerous but always fascinating," Harold Nicholson wrote to his son last July, the indictment says, in what was apparently an reference to the scheme.

The New York Times

This method relates the change in phase of the electron beam due to the Aharonov Bohm effect to the difference in contrast between two magnetic states.25,39 We utilize an reference state of a saturated film along the +z direction, and a final state of an isolated Néel skyrmion with a polarity of −1.

Nature

We used the UniRef database [26] as an reference set by treating it as another sample to be able to identify biases and the status of PKS I annotation.

Plosone

For each experiment, target samples were normalized to EF1α, which was used as an reference.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Frank Callahan is a star, a reference point.

The New York Times

Use an electronegativity table as a reference.

WikiHow

The Green Line is a reference, but only a reference".

The New York Times - Magazine

Use a color wheel as a reference.

WikiHow

A reference to Trump amid a eulogy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a" before "reference" because the word begins with a consonant sound. For example, use "a reference book" instead of "an reference book".

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words that start with a consonant sound. This is a common mistake for non-native English speakers and can be easily corrected by paying attention to pronunciation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an reference" is intended to function as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically incorrect. While examples exist across various sources, their correctness is disputed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "an reference" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "a reference", as "reference" begins with a consonant sound. Though common, the incorrect usage detracts from the writer's credibility. Contexts where this phrase appears include news, science, and academic writing. To avoid this error, always remember to use "a" before words starting with a consonant sound and "an" before words starting with a vowel sound. Using alternatives such as "a source" or "a citation" can also improve clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reference

Corrects the grammatical error by using the appropriate article "a" before the consonant sound.

a source

Replaces "reference" with a synonym that maintains a similar meaning, suitable in many contexts.

a citation

Specifically refers to a formal mention of a source, like in academic writing.

a point of reference

Adds specificity to the meaning, indicating something used for comparison or orientation.

a frame of reference

Implies a set of criteria or values in relation to which measurements or judgments can be made.

a guiding principle

Shifts the focus to a fundamental concept used as a basis for action or decision-making.

a benchmark

Highlights the use of a standard or point against which others can be compared or assessed.

a standard

Focuses on a defined level of quality or attainment that is used as a measure.

an example

Emphasizes something representative used to illustrate a point or principle, though grammatically incorrect as well.

a model

Indicates a pattern or exemplar that can be followed or imitated.

FAQs

Why is "an reference" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "an reference" is incorrect because the article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, not a consonant sound. The correct phrase is "a reference".

What article should I use before the word "reference"?

You should always use the article "a" before the word "reference" because it begins with a consonant sound. For example, "a useful "reference book"".

Are there situations where "an reference" would be appropriate?

No, there are no situations where "an reference" is grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is always "a reference".

What are some alternatives to saying "an reference", assuming the intent is to mean a source of information?

Instead of "an reference", you can say "a source", "a citation", or "a resource", depending on the specific context. Remember to use 'a' instead of 'an'.