for point of reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for point of reference" is not correct in standard English; it should be "for the point of reference." You can use it when you want to clarify or provide context for a discussion or comparison.
Example: "For the point of reference, the previous year's sales figures were significantly lower than this year's."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But for point of reference, current models start at $97,820 – and go up, up and away from there.

The New York Times

For consistency across all simulation, parent node and ref x  are used for point of reference.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For point of reference, taking God's name in vain never meant swearing.

Huffington Post

The final contigs of 54,903 sequences (average length 599 nt), and 21,781 in-frame, non-redundant contigs (463 nt), can be compared (for point of reference) to the contigs produced from the major Medicago Sanger-sequence EST project.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The search engine (which also uses postal codes and tube stops for points of reference) will pull up the closest attractions in the vicinity — in this case, the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum — and flag them on a map, giving their exact coordinates, including Web sites...

The New York Times - Travel

Video games are still carving their identity in the worlds of entertainment and culture, and media coverage often looks to other industries for points of reference.

BBC

The result can provide the eye with a suggestion of the stability of landscape (as in "Citrinitas," above), or leave us dizzy and off-balance, searching for points of reference in untethered space.

Huffington Post

Kings fans have to go back to 1993, if they can remember that far, for a point of reference for this level of playoff success.

The New York Times

For those uninitiated to the group but looking for a point of reference, a close aural companion to the Hearts' fervid anthems would be Weezer's libido-fueled opus, Pinkerton.

Huffington Post

For another point of reference, consider that the latest iPod touch probably costs somewhere around $150 to make (an estimate based on the BOM of past iterations), and retails for $299, providing a margin of roughly $150.

TechCrunch

For a point of reference, a 3% difference between two full-length 16S sequences is roughly equivalent to a species level difference at the genomic level [28].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the point of reference" or, more commonly, simpler alternatives like "for context" or "for comparison" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the ungrammatical phrase "for point of reference". Instead, opt for the correct form, "for the point of reference", or replace it with clearer alternatives like "for context" or "as a reference".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for point of reference" is a prepositional phrase intended to introduce context or a comparative element. However, it is grammatically questionable and benefits from being replaced by a grammatically sound and clear alternative. Ludwig AI highlights that this is not correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "for point of reference" is sometimes used, it's grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI suggests, the correct form is "for the point of reference," but even that can sound awkward. It's generally better to opt for clearer and more concise alternatives, such as "for context", "as a reference", or "for comparison", depending on the intended meaning. These alternatives enhance clarity and precision, making your writing more effective across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. Be mindful of the grammatical correctness and clarity to ensure your message is conveyed effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for context

Provides background information, shortening and simplifying the expression.

for comparison

Focuses specifically on drawing a comparison to provide context.

as an example

Simplifies the reference to a single instance.

as a reference

Offers something to refer back to, simplifying the contextual element.

by way of reference

More formal and emphasizes the act of referencing something.

as a benchmark

Implies using something as a standard for evaluation.

to put things in perspective

Focuses on providing a broader understanding of the situation.

for illustrative purposes

Highlights that the reference is used to illustrate a point.

to give you an idea

More conversational, aiming to provide a general sense.

for the record

Emphasizes that the information is being stated officially.

FAQs

How can I use "for point of reference" correctly?

While "for point of reference" is often used, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "for the point of reference." However, consider using simpler and clearer alternatives like "for context" or "as a reference".

What's a better alternative to "for point of reference"?

Instead of "for point of reference", try using "for comparison", "as a benchmark", or "for illustrative purposes" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "for point of reference" formal or informal?

While the phrase itself isn't particularly formal or informal, it's grammatically questionable. Using more precise and grammatically sound alternatives will lend your writing or speech a more polished and professional tone. Opt for alternatives like "by way of reference" (more formal) or "to give you an idea" (less formal).

When should I use "for the point of reference"?

While grammatically correct, "for the point of reference" can sound clunky. It's best to use it when you specifically want to draw attention to a particular reference point. In most cases, simpler alternatives like "for context" or "as a reference" will be more effective.