by making reference to

USAGE SUMMARY

'by making reference to' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the act of citing a source of information, or of bringing up a past event or idea. For example: "The student supported his argument by making reference to scientific studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Visual inspection ensured that coordinates referred to the target areas by making reference to anatomical landmarks on the images (see Fig. 3).

Cerebral Cortex

For instance, by making reference to real numbers or, better, by using terms that purport to refer to real numbers we give ourselves an easy way of describing the temperature states of physical systems.

SEP

"He did so by making reference to the great German ecclesiastical works.

The New York Times - Arts

You illustrate a point by making reference to something you know is ubiquitous but your interlocutor has never heard of.

The Guardian - Music

He supports his claim by making reference to the fact that Steve Jobs bragged in 1996 that the company had always been "shameless about stealing great ideas".

The Guardian - Tech

When Achatz showed me what had happened to his taste buds, he explained it by making reference to the classic map, as did his surgeon.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Many Muslims in the community felt targeted by the event, which came after the Irving mayor, Beth Van Duyne, made waves in the rightwing media by making references to an Islamic dispute mediation panel that wrongly became characterised as an "illegal Sharia court".

The Guardian

Tom Pecheux Estée Lauderr's creative makeup director) explained the Neutra connection by making references to large windows that "let the outdoor weather into the house," which became a ray of yellow from Estée Lauder Rain Boots shadow on the lid highlighted with Cyber Copper brown shimmer all the way to the brow bone.

The New York Times

The following sections of this paper will argue that such a possibility may often be lacking by making references to a number of legal approaches that one might expect to be applicable in such instances.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Raucher recognized the "real" Dorothy's handwriting, and she confirmed her identity by making references to certain events only she could have known about.

Wikipedia

The lesson here is that presenters can connect with their audiences by making references to relevant facts about individuals in the audience or about the audience as an affinity group.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the reference is clear and directly relevant to the point you are making, avoiding ambiguity or vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "by making reference to" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "referring to" or "mentioning" would be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by making reference to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the means by which an action is performed. It introduces the source or subject being cited or alluded to. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by making reference to" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the act of citing or alluding to something, often to provide support or context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most common in science, news and media, and formal business contexts, suggesting a register that leans toward neutral to formal writing. While effective for explicitly acknowledging sources, it can be replaced with more concise alternatives like "referring to" in less formal situations. Consider using it when clarity and source acknowledgement are crucial in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

referring to

A more concise and direct way of indicating a connection or citation.

with reference to

A slightly more formal alternative, often used in academic or professional contexts.

alluding to

Implies an indirect or subtle reference.

citing

Specifically indicates a direct quotation or source.

drawing upon

Suggests using something as a basis or inspiration.

in relation to

Focuses on the connection or relationship between two things.

making mention of

A more verbose way of saying "mentioning".

pointing to

Highlights something as evidence or support.

invoking

Suggests calling upon something for support or justification.

drawing a parallel to

Emphasizes a comparison or similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "by making reference to" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that you are citing or alluding to something. For example, "The author supports his claim "by making reference to" several studies."

What are some alternatives to "by making reference to"?

You can use alternatives such as "referring to", "with reference to", or "citing", depending on the context.

Is "by making reference to" too formal for casual writing?

Yes, it can be. In more casual contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "referring to" or "mentioning".

What's the difference between "by making reference to" and "by referring to"?

"By making reference to" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of formally acknowledging something. "By referring to" is more direct and less formal.