crucial reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crucial reference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an important source of information or a key point that is essential for understanding a topic or making a decision. Example: "In her research paper, she cited a crucial reference that provided the necessary background for her argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This open-door policy has made Wikipedia, on balance, a crucial reference resource.

The New York Times - Arts

(Rainer has also cited him as a crucial reference for her films, and, in particular, for "Privilege").

The New Yorker

Experts cite his three books on Khmer treasures, written with the scholar Emma C. Bunker, as crucial reference works.

The New York Times - Arts

Until, that is, she heard Messiaen's groundbreaking work, which remained a crucial reference point for the nonlinear dramaturgy of "L'Amour de Loin".

The New York Times - Arts

This seven-disc collection of his early work belongs on the shelf next to your Oxford Shakespeare -- both as a crucial reference and as an endless source of pleasure.

The New York Times - Arts

They included deleting a crucial reference in earlier drafts of the dossier to Saddam Hussein being prepared to use chemical and biological weapons only if he believed his regime to be under threat.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A university whose name is synonymous with the perpetual archiving of books is now telling scholars that their crucial references can never be their property, and that their ongoing use of those works is subject to continuous monitoring and indefinite retention.

The Guardian - Tech

When I need to familiarize myself with concepts or methodology, I identify and read crucial references cited in the manuscript.

Science Magazine

Some of the crucial references on the subject such as [35] stay unpublished for several years, presumably because they are not in a final form.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/13/94/prepub Thares are due to the referee who found an error in an earlier version of the main result and pointed my attention to crucial references I had overlooked.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The indexical component (this liquid, our rivers) is crucial to reference determination: it wouldn't do to identify the referent of 'water' by way of some description ("liquid, transparent, quenches thirst, boils at 100°C, etc")., for something might fit the description yet fail to be water, as in Putnam's famous Twin Earth thought experiment (see the entry on reference).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crucial reference", ensure that the reference truly is essential for understanding the context. Avoid overusing the phrase for references that are merely helpful but not absolutely necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "crucial reference" when a simpler term like "helpful source" would suffice. Overstating the importance of a reference can diminish the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crucial reference" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'crucial' modifies the noun 'reference'. It identifies a specific source or piece of information that is essential for understanding or supporting a particular point. Ludwig examples show it used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crucial reference" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an essential source of information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently used in news, science, and formal business contexts to emphasize the importance of a particular reference for understanding or decision-making. While alternatives like "essential reference" or "key reference" exist, "crucial reference" highlights the indispensable nature of the source. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure the reference truly warrants the label and to avoid overstating its importance, as that can diminish the credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential reference

Replaces "crucial" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

key reference

Substitutes "crucial" with "key", highlighting importance.

vital reference

Uses "vital" instead of "crucial", stressing the importance for success or survival.

important reference

Replaces "crucial" with "important", indicating significance.

significant reference

Uses "significant" instead of "crucial", highlighting the notable impact or effect.

indispensable reference

Replaces "crucial" with "indispensable", suggesting the reference is impossible to do without.

foundational reference

Uses "foundational" to emphasize the reference's role as a base or starting point.

pivotal reference

Replaces "crucial" with "pivotal", focusing on the reference's turning-point role.

cornerstone reference

This emphasizes the reference as being a basic and essential building block.

central reference

Highlights the reference's position at the core or center of the topic.

FAQs

How can I use "crucial reference" in a sentence?

You can use "crucial reference" to describe a source of information that is essential for understanding a particular topic. For example, "The study cited a "crucial reference" that supported its main argument."

What are some alternatives to "crucial reference"?

Some alternatives to "crucial reference" include "essential reference", "key reference", or "vital reference", depending on the context.

What makes a reference "crucial"?

A reference is "crucial" when it provides indispensable information, context, or support that is necessary for a thorough understanding of the subject matter. It often serves as a foundation for further analysis or decision-making.

Is there a difference between an "important reference" and a "crucial reference"?

While both terms indicate significance, a ""crucial reference"" implies a higher degree of necessity than an "important reference". A crucial reference is indispensable, while an important reference is merely highly valuable.