initial reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial reference" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally refers to one's first encounter with a particular concept, person, or experience. For example, "His initial reference to the unfamiliar concept was overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An essential step to initiate post-refinement is the generation of the initial reference set I ref (initial).

eLife

Avoid using it as the initial reference to the school.

University of California, Berkeley

Initial reference flow-sheets have been prepared and compared.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Do not use it as the initial reference to the school.

University of California, Berkeley

We knew that there was a friendly game between England and Scotland coming up, so used that as one of our initial reference points.

The Guardian

Results are discussed in terms of a status quo bias for adding or deleting options from an initial reference frame.

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

They also precede page numbers, after the initial reference, with "at" (Bush v. Gore, at 7), an affectation that you would be shot for if you adopted it in an English paper.

The New Yorker

We randomly subsampled twelve million merged reads using SeqTK (v.1.226) and used the mitochondrial genome of the red-crested pochard Netta rufina (NC 024922; Kan and Li unpublished) as initial reference seed.

Nature

Based on its analysis of the issues, the team piloted a "reference receipt" for patrons with recommendations for book titles and online resources to support research beyond the initial reference conversation.

Harvard Business Review

To generate an initial model in RELION, a 3D classification was performed with only one class and C1 symmetry, using a sphere as the initial reference and all the selected particles from the 2D classification.

Nature

As expected, the failure probability increases with increasing fluence, Cu and Ni contents, and initial reference temperature-nil ductility transition (RTNDT).

Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial reference", ensure it clearly indicates the first or foundational point being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "initial reference" when referring to citations or points made later in a document. Use terms like "previous reference" or "aforementioned" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial reference" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. It identifies the starting point or first instance of a point of comparison, data, or source. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial reference" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. Ludwig's analysis indicates its purpose is to establish a starting point or foundational element for understanding or analysis. It's crucial to distinguish it from subsequent references, and alternatives like "starting point" or "original source" can be used depending on the specific nuance. As the examples provided by Ludwig illustrate, the phrase is versatile, appearing in scientific studies, news articles, and business reports, making it an essential term for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting point

Focuses on the beginning or origin of something, similar to a reference.

preliminary benchmark

Highlights the early stage of measurement or evaluation.

original source

Emphasizes the origin or foundation of information or a concept.

first point of contact

Refers to the initial stage of interaction or access.

basic standard

Indicates a fundamental or foundational level of quality or requirement.

primary guideline

Highlights the fundamental or starting principle.

foundational data

Focuses on the basic information used as a base.

early indicator

Suggests a sign or signal that appears at the beginning.

initial measure

Refers to the first action taken for assessment or comparison.

opening citation

Refers to the first source mentioned or acknowledged.

FAQs

How to use "initial reference" in a sentence?

The phrase "initial reference" is used to indicate the first time something is mentioned or used as a point of comparison. For example, "The study used the 2010 census as its initial reference point."

What can I say instead of "initial reference"?

You can use alternatives like "starting point", "original source", or "preliminary benchmark" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "initial reference" and "first reference"?

"Initial reference" and "first reference" are often interchangeable, both indicating the first instance something is mentioned or used. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to provide an "initial reference" in academic writing?

Yes, providing a clear "initial reference" is crucial in academic writing to establish context and give credit to original sources. This ensures transparency and avoids plagiarism.