check your references

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "check your references" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to verify the sources or citations they have used in their work or research. Example: "Before submitting your paper, make sure to check your references to ensure they are accurate and properly formatted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

You aced the last round of interviews and now your prospective employer wants to check your references.

Harvard Business Review

If the hiring manager asks to check your references at your current organization and you don't want to divulge the fact that you're considering leaving, you have two options.

Harvard Business Review

The harder the reviewers have to work to plow through laborious text or to scramble to the library to check your references, the less inclined they will be to cut you a break.

Science Magazine

Generally, it will be the headhunter who contacted you in the first place who will check your references; any recruiter who has earned your future employer's trust is not going to provide references that are manipulated.

Science Magazine

Some of them will invite you in for an interview, talk with you, answer your questions, check your references, talk about salary and benefits and then make you a job offer.

Forbes

Down the road as your conversations with hiring managers develop and projects and pain points come more clearly into view, you may need to fill out an application so the employer can check your references and enter you into their system.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Check your reference image or just a picture of that character to make sure you've got everything right.

WikiHow

To "facilitate candor," he suggests you try to identify commonalities between the person checking your references and the people providing them.

Harvard Business Review

Universities work hard to build students' critical skills for academic work, but these skills have more relevance than "just checking your references or checking the authority of the information you have when you are writing an essay, exactly the same thing applies to how the news works", he says.

BBC

It's also worth double-checking your references to make sure the information contained within them is correct.

WikiHow

Always check your contractor's references.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before providing references to a potential employer, ensure the references are still valid and willing to speak on your behalf. People's contact information changes, and their willingness to provide a reference may shift over time.

Common error

Don't assume your references know exactly what to say. Provide them with details about the job and the aspects of your experience you'd like them to highlight. This ensures they present a consistent and compelling narrative to potential employers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check your references" functions as an imperative, used to instruct or advise someone to verify the sources or testimonials they are providing, as suggested by Ludwig's analysis. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "check your references" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed imperative, as noted by Ludwig. It serves to advise or instruct someone to verify their sources or testimonials, ensuring accuracy and credibility across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its neutral register allows for use in both professional and informal settings. For alternative phrasing, consider "verify your sources", "validate your citations", or "confirm your credentials". Ensuring your references are well-prepared and their information is current is a best practice to avoid potential inaccuracies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verify your sources

This alternative focuses on confirming the accuracy and validity of the information sources used.

double-check your sources

Emphasizes the need for a careful and thorough review of the sources.

validate your citations

This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all citations are correctly formatted and attributed.

confirm your credentials

This focuses on verifying one's qualifications and background.

review your testimonials

Suggests examining the statements made by others in support of something.

scrutinize your endorsements

Implies a critical and detailed examination of endorsements.

authenticate your referrals

This option highlights the importance of proving the legitimacy of referrals.

investigate your testimonials

Focuses on exploring the validity and reliability of testimonials.

substantiate your endorsements

This alternative concentrates on validating the support or approval received.

corroborate your referrals

Focuses on seeking additional evidence to support the referrals.

FAQs

How can I use "check your references" in a sentence?

You can use "check your references" to advise someone to verify their sources or citations, such as: "Before submitting your paper, make sure to check your references to ensure they are accurate and properly formatted."

What are some alternatives to saying "check your references"?

Alternatives include "verify your sources", "validate your citations", or "confirm your credentials", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "check your references" or "verify your references"?

Both "check your references" and "verify your references" are grammatically correct, and their suitability depends on the context. "Check your references" is more general, while "verify your references" emphasizes confirming accuracy.

What's the difference between "check your references" and "double-check your references"?

"Check your references" implies a standard review, while "double-check your sources" suggests a more thorough and careful review to ensure accuracy.