in reference to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in reference to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is related to or concerning a specific person. Example: "In reference to him, I believe we should reconsider our approach to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Flamboyant" was the word inevitably used in reference to him.

The New Yorker

Khosrowshahi was well liked — the words "nice" and "wholesome" came up a lot in reference to him — and the company was regarded as a stable and satisfying place to work, with a high percentage of women and other underrepresented groups on staff.

The New Yorker

The Great Communicator label was even more often used in reference to him in retirement.

Huffington Post

His regular at XS there, which took place in 2011, was called Unhooked in reference to him performing without his trademark mouse head.

Vice

He often signed himself off as "J", "an abbreviation that was and is commonly used in reference to him" throughout his time at CRGS and as synonymous with the man himself that it could be used for an article about his death in the local newspaper.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Liu was well known among his contemporaries, as is apparent in references to him found in literary documents such as Huashi Huiyao and Tuhui Baojian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another Clinton supporter, Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, said Mrs. Clinton "really likes Joe Biden," and "will probably throw in a reference to him in her speech" that notes their shared devotion to women's and working-class issues.

The New York Times

He was fond of the works of Akira Kurosawa, and worked in a reference to him in Paprika.

Wikipedia

In the Wallace & Gromit Christmas special last year, I built in a reference to him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But when Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's representatives learned in October of his forthcoming appearance in the book, they demanded that the authors, who both live in Brooklyn, remove any reference to him.

The New York Times

Sally Fitzgerald noted in a chronology that accompanies O'Connor's "Collected Works" (1988) that in the early fifties O'Connor had been in love with a visiting Danish textbook editor, but there is scant reference to him in the selected letters, "The Habit of Being" (1979), which was overseen by O'Connor's protective mother.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in reference to him", ensure the context is clear and the connection to the person is easily understood by the reader. Avoid using it redundantly; if the subject is already clear, a simpler pronoun or name may suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "in reference to him" when a simple pronoun like 'he' or 'him' would be more concise and direct. For example, instead of "The report mentioned the CEO; in reference to him, profits were up," say "The report mentioned the CEO; profits were up for him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in reference to him" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause. It introduces additional information about a specific individual, providing context or specifying who or what is being discussed. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in reference to him" serves to explicitly connect a statement or idea to a particular individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and generally used in neutral to formal contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media sources. While effective for clarity, overuse can make writing sound stilted, so consider simpler pronouns or names when appropriate. Alternatives like "regarding him" or "concerning him" can provide a more concise expression depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding him

This alternative is a more concise and direct way of indicating the topic of discussion.

concerning him

This alternative is similar to 'regarding him' but can sometimes imply a sense of worry or importance.

relating to him

This alternative is a general way of indicating a link or association.

pertaining to him

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the relevance or connection to the person.

with regard to him

This is a formal alternative similar to 'with respect to him'.

with respect to him

This alternative adds a layer of formality and respect in the connection.

in relation to him

This alternative highlights the connection or relationship between the subject and the person.

in connection with him

This alternative suggests a relationship or association with the person.

about him

This is the most basic and informal way to indicate the topic is the person.

concerning his person

This alternative is a formal construction that is less common nowadays.

FAQs

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

Use "in reference to him" to explicitly link a statement or idea to a specific person. For example, "The article discusses the author's early life; "in reference to him", his childhood experiences shaped his writing."

What are some alternatives to "in reference to him"?

Alternatives include "regarding him", "concerning him", or "pertaining to him". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "in reference to him" or "about him"?

"In reference to him" is generally more formal than "about him". "About him" is suitable for casual conversation, while "in reference to him" is appropriate for more formal writing or speech.

When should I avoid using "in reference to him"?

Avoid using "in reference to him" when the context already makes it clear who you're talking about, or when a simpler pronoun would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted or redundant.