be referenced by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be referenced by" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to indicate that something has been mentioned or referred to by another source. For example: The importance of recycling is often referenced by environmental groups when discussing climate change.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Hip-hop itself has changed enormously of course, becoming mainstream enough to be referenced by the US president.

The Guardian - Music

The Twins had a special season, one that should be referenced by every major league, high school or Little League team called an underdog.

The New York Times - Sports

The report suggests the establishment of clear standards, which can be referenced by users and commissioners to hold service providers to account, and goes on to say mechanisms should be put in place to ensure learning from complaints is shared between bodies to avoid repetition of the same mistakes.

The Guardian

This work can be referenced by fire management department.

Procedia Engineering

Calculation results reflect the real situation objectively and can be referenced by real engineering practices.

Procedia Engineering

In the following, all glossaries will be referenced by short reference given in square brackets.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The issue was referenced by Theresa May when she took office last Wednesday.

The Guardian

"Birthday Boy", completed in 1946, is referenced by Salinger in letters as late as 1951.

The Guardian - Books

"The items remain in their original folders," he said, "and are referenced by the collection".

The New York Times - Tech

The initiative was referenced by George Osborne, the chancellor, and the then minister for women, Maria Miller, in 2012.

The Guardian - Money

This was referenced by the curator Olga Viso for the Mendieta retrospective at the Smithsonian a few years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be referenced by", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being referred to and the object specifies the source doing the referencing. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "be referenced by". While grammatically correct, active voice often provides a stronger and more direct sentence. Consider rephrasing to highlight the active referrer: "Environmental groups often reference the importance of recycling..." rather than "The importance of recycling is often referenced by environmental groups...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be referenced by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is being mentioned or cited by another source. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's commonly used to show acknowledgment or reliance on a specific source or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be referenced by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates something is mentioned or cited by another source. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples showcase its prevalence across science, news, and formal writing. While the passive voice is valid, active voice alternatives can often enhance sentence strength. Remembering to clearly identify both the subject and the referencing source when using "be referenced by" will help ensure clarity and effective communication. Furthermore, being mindful to source appropriately contributes to ethical and credible writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be cited by

Focuses specifically on formal acknowledgement in academic or legal contexts; implies direct quotation or attribution.

make reference to

A more formal way of saying 'refer to', often used in academic or legal writing.

be mentioned by

Indicates a simple act of naming or briefly referring to something.

be attributed to

Highlights the source or origin of an idea, work, or statement.

be alluded to by

Suggests an indirect or passing mention, often without explicit detail.

be noted by

Implies that something has been observed and recorded, often with significance.

be informed by

Highlights the influence or guidance something provides, rather than a direct citation.

be based on

Emphasizes the foundation or origin of something, indicating a strong dependency.

draw upon

Indicates using something as a resource or inspiration.

be connected to

Suggests a linkage or association between two or more entities.

FAQs

How can I use "be referenced by" in a sentence?

You can use "be referenced by" to indicate that a particular source or item is mentioned or cited by another source. For example, "The study's findings are referenced by several subsequent research papers."

What's a more formal alternative to "be referenced by"?

For more formal contexts, consider using "be cited by" or "make reference to". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

What is the difference between "be referenced by" and "be referred to by"?

"Be referenced by" implies a more formal or explicit mention, often in written works or official documents. "Be referred to by" is a broader term that can include informal mentions or nicknames. While similar, referencing often suggests a deliberate citation, whereas referring is a more general act of mentioning.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "reference"?

While "be referenced by" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "Scientists reference the study") can often create a stronger and more direct sentence. The choice depends on the desired emphasis: passive voice emphasizes the thing being referenced, while active voice emphasizes the referencing source.