he referenced that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he referenced that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has made a mention or allusion to a specific topic or piece of information. Example: "In his presentation, he referenced that study to support his argument about climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Given that this was a decade ago, and was mentioned during the cut and thrust of an interview, he referenced that his writing career had ended when he became an MP: in fact it ended shortly afterwards".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He referenced the controversy that had surrounded "shadowbanning," a feature that they got rid of earlier this month, as an example of how difficult the Reddit community can be to gauge at times.

TechCrunch

I love that he referenced Babe Ruth in that the greatest hitters ever still missed over half the time.

Huffington Post

Obama's first mention of "baseball" came when he referenced her 1995 opinion that ended the baseball strike.

Huffington Post

Then he referenced the fact that there are only two American's on the Oracle boat this year.

Huffington Post

He referenced a model that IFC Films has begun using as a standard release plan for its films.

Huffington Post

And he referenced the reality that the United States stands as an international outsider in its commitment to capital punishment.

Huffington Post

For instance, he referenced the fact that if you don't know a gay person, you are far more likely to be against same-sex marriage.

Huffington Post

But wasn't until Eric Schmidt's MacTaggart lecture in 2011, in which he referenced our work, that the government actually sat up and took notice.

Vice

As an example, he referenced an interactive voice ad that asked an Alexa user if they were planning to watch the NBA finals game that day.

TechCrunch

It was refreshing that he referenced those who run their own business as well as nurses.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he referenced that", ensure the connection between the subject and the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity. Provide context for the reference so the audience understands its relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "he referenced that" repeatedly without providing sufficient context. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and unclear. Instead, vary your phrasing and provide specific details about the reference to improve clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he referenced that" functions as a reporting clause, indicating that a male subject made an explicit or implicit connection to a specific previously mentioned or understood item or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he referenced that" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that a male person alluded to something, although it is not very common. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its usage is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts, but especially news reports. For formal writing, consider using the alternative "he made reference to that". When using the phrase, ensure that the connection to the reference is clear to the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he made reference to that

A more formal way of saying "he referenced that".

he mentioned that

Focuses on the act of stating something, similar to referencing but less formal.

he alluded to that

Implies an indirect reference, where the connection is suggested rather than explicitly stated.

he noted that

Highlights the act of observing or taking something into account.

he cited that

Suggests providing a source or authority to support a statement.

he indicated that

Suggests a subtle or indirect communication of information.

he pointed to that

Highlights something as relevant or significant.

he drew attention to that

Emphasizes the act of making something noticeable.

he touched on that

Implies a brief or cursory mention of something.

he spoke about that

A general way of saying he talked about something, less specific than referencing.

FAQs

What does "he referenced that" mean?

The phrase "he referenced that" means that a male person mentioned or alluded to a specific thing or idea. It implies a connection was made to something previously known or discussed.

What can I say instead of "he referenced that"?

You can use alternatives like "he mentioned that", "he alluded to that", or "he cited that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I make my usage of "he referenced that" clearer?

To improve clarity, provide immediate context for the reference. Explain why the reference is relevant or significant to the discussion.

Is "he referenced that" formal or informal?

The phrase "he referenced that" falls in a neutral register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, "he made reference to that" is a more formal alternative.