he made reference to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he made reference to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone mentioned or alluded to something in their speech or writing. Example: "During the meeting, he made reference to the recent changes in company policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He made reference to some of the calls I made along the way.

The New York Times

He made reference to the Boston series, adding: "I haven't been playing myself.

The New York Times - Sports

He made reference to a letter written by Jordaan to Valcke.

The Guardian - Sport

He made reference to a resemblance between Benchley and the late Max Adeler (1841-1915).

The New Yorker

At another point, he made reference to the US national debt.

The Guardian

Then he made reference to a verse from Leviticus: "I won't stand idly by my father's blood".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then his grades began to drop, and he made references to suicide in a letter to Mr. Grunow.

The New York Times

He made references to various teachings of the Qur'an, but did not have enough knowledge to quote from it.

The Guardian

So Wilson has said that he misspoke when he made references to the documents to me and to two other journalists.

The New York Times

He made references to an international treaty, signed by Syria, against the use of chemical weapons, as well as the 2013 U.N. resolution.

The New Yorker

He makes reference to the Oktoberfest, which Munich is in the middle of.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the audience and context. In some situations, a more direct alternative like "he mentioned" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "he made reference to" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "he mentioned" or "he alluded to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he made reference to" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces a topic or subject that was mentioned or alluded to by someone. It's a common way to indicate that a person brought up a specific point without necessarily going into detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he made reference to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that someone mentioned or alluded to something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media, it's important to consider using simpler alternatives like "he mentioned" for conciseness and to avoid overuse. Understanding its nuances and appropriate usage can enhance clarity and engagement in your writing. Remember to check out "he referred to", "he mentioned", or "he alluded to" for alternative wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he referred to

Replaces 'made reference to' with 'referred to', which is a more direct and common alternative.

he alluded to

Changes the verb from 'made reference' to 'alluded', implying a more indirect mention.

he mentioned

Uses the simpler verb 'mentioned' instead of 'made reference to', making it more concise.

he cited

Substitutes 'made reference to' with 'cited', implying a formal or direct quotation or example.

he touched upon

Replaces the phrase with 'touched upon', indicating a brief mention of the subject.

he spoke of

Uses 'spoke of' instead of 'made reference to', suggesting a broader discussion.

he indicated

Changes the verb, suggesting he subtly pointed something out without explicitly stating it.

he drew attention to

Replaces the phrase with 'drew attention to', highlighting the act of focusing on something.

he pointed out

Emphasizes the act of directing focus to a specific detail or piece of information.

he hinted at

Suggests an indirect or subtle reference, implying something without explicitly stating it.

FAQs

What does "he made reference to" mean?

The phrase "he made reference to" means that someone mentioned or alluded to something, often without going into great detail. It implies a brief or indirect mention of a topic.

What are some alternatives to "he made reference to"?

Some alternatives to "he made reference to" include "he referred to", "he mentioned", "he alluded to", or "he touched upon". The best choice depends on the context.

Is "he made reference to" formal or informal?

The phrase "he made reference to" is generally considered neutral in tone. While not overly formal, it's suitable for professional and news contexts. Simpler alternatives like "he mentioned" might be preferred in more informal settings.

How can I use "he made reference to" in a sentence?

You can use "he made reference to" by following this structure: "He made reference to [topic/event/person] in [context]". For example: "He made reference to the budget cuts during the meeting".