clearly a reference to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly a reference to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is unmistakably alluding to a specific idea, person, or work. Example: "The author's use of the phrase 'the green-eyed monster' is clearly a reference to jealousy, drawing from Shakespeare's Othello."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"This is clearly a reference to the film and fictional character of Harry Potter.

The Guardian - Film

The title is clearly a reference to America's jaded Generation X.

The New York Times - Magazine

As for her name, "Minnie" is clearly a reference to Mina Harker in Stoker's Dracula – which is therefore a veiled portrait of Sickert and his dark side.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Biden's response — "My record for 25 years has supported clean coal technology" — was clearly a reference to that environmental cleanup.

The New York Times

It was a statement that was clearly a reference to neighboring Iran, which was not shy about publicly entering the Iraqi political fray in the postelection period.

The New York Times

But in what was clearly a reference to the United States Congress, Mr. Medvedev said there were reasons not to trust the assurances from the Obama administration.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"The game uses the name 'Ari' for the main character, which clearly is a reference to Mr Emanuel, the co-chief executive officer of WME, one of the world's premier talent agencies," reads the original cease-and-desist letter.

Independent

Very Jewish - hmmm - this clearly wasn't a reference to population density.

Independent

"Clearly this is a reference to the inadequacies of the prior investigations, and for anyone to suggest otherwise shows they are not interested in uncovering all the facts, and providing the final, definitive accounting of Benghazi for the families and the American people," Ware said in an email.

Huffington Post

"The message in that telephone call, as described to us by the family, was, 'We need to rally around the coach' -- which we think was a direct reference to Head Coach Larry Eustachy -- 'and then we need to go after the people that got us.' "We clearly believe that is a reference to Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde and probably others at the university.

The New York Times - Sports

Media regulator Ofcom said the reference would have been "clearly understood by listeners as a reference to Ukip" and amounted to "discussion and analysis" of the vote when the polls had opened, which is prohibited under UK broadcasting rules.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clearly a reference to", ensure the connection you're drawing is easily understood by your audience. If the reference is obscure, provide additional context.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly a reference to" when the connection is already widely known or self-evident. Overusing the phrase can make your writing seem condescending or redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly a reference to" functions as an appositive phrase, specifically to identify or explain a preceding noun or concept. It clarifies that something is undeniably alluding to a specific idea, person, or work. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clearly a reference to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an obvious or unmistakable allusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s readily usable in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with neutral formality. While the phrase is effective for highlighting connections, it’s essential to ensure the reference is genuinely clear and that the phrase is not overused. Alternatives like "obvious allusion to" or "evident reference to" may offer variety. Always contextualize potentially obscure references to maximize clarity. Use "clearly a reference to" judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious allusion to

Emphasizes the obviousness of the connection, less verbose.

evident reference to

Replaces "clearly" with "evident", maintaining a similar level of certainty.

unmistakable reference to

Highlights the certainty of the reference, stronger emphasis.

plainly alludes to

Uses "plainly" and "alludes" to convey the directness of the reference.

patently a nod to

Uses "patently" and "nod" to suggest an obvious and intentional reference.

unquestionably referring to

Focuses on the lack of doubt about the reference's target.

directly alluding to

Emphasizes the directness of the allusion, removing ambiguity.

implicitly referencing

Implies the reference is present without being explicitly stated.

undeniably a citation of

Highlights the irrefutable nature of the reference as a citation.

ostensibly alluding to

Suggests that the reference is apparent on the surface.

FAQs

How can I use "clearly a reference to" in a sentence?

Use "clearly a reference to" to point out an obvious connection or allusion. For example, "The character's name is clearly a reference to a famous historical figure."

What are some alternatives to "clearly a reference to"?

You can use alternatives like "obvious allusion to", "evident reference to", or "unmistakable reference to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "clearly a reference to"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight an obvious connection that might not be immediately apparent to everyone, or when you want to emphasize the intentional nature of the allusion.

Is there a more formal way to say "clearly a reference to"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "evidently alluding to" or "unquestionably referring to" for a more formal tone. These options maintain the sense of obviousness while sounding more sophisticated.