legitimate reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate reference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a source or citation that is credible and valid in a particular context, such as academic writing or research. Example: "In order to support your argument, it is essential to provide a legitimate reference that can be verified by others."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is one way of testing whether or not the students are comfortable searching for legitimate reference materials, and can also assist in identifying contract cheating sites such as the bibliographic mashups discussed previously under the referencing heading.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

According to the Balderdash Instruction booklet, it states in the footnote, that all answers in Balderdash cards, "are very real and have been recognized by at least 2 legitimate reference sources".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is unprofessional and can give the impression that you don't have legitimate references.

WikiHow

As more and more older users try to turn Facebook into a legitimate social reference guide, younger people may follow suit and stop treating it as a circus ring.

The New York Times

Locate legitimate source material.

WikiHow

Focusing on only cognitive variables is often legitimated with reference to Weinert, who suggested analyzing cognitive and non-cognitive facets separately (Klieme and Leutner 2006, p. 880; Klieme et al. 2008, p. 9).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Whatsgoodly also cannot block individual names "without unintentionally censoring a lot of perfectly legitimate content (references to celebrities, politicians, characters in literature, historical figures, etc).," he added in an email.

Huffington Post

Then, by varying the set of legitimate principles, the reference rule may change and so the result of the (DRP) process.

SERIEs

It was agreed that in addition to the type of quality parameters conventionally applied in research science, measurements of the quality of policy relevant science must also take account of the extent to which the various actors in a given policy process accept the knowledge as the legitimate frame of reference for policy making.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Make sure that anyone you work with is legitimate and has references.

WikiHow

Governor Scott's letter insisted that his purge was legitimate and made pious reference to protecting the sanctity of voting from the scourge of illegal immigrants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate reference", ensure the source is verifiable and aligns with established standards within your field. This strengthens the credibility of your work.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate reference" as a generic term for any citation. Reserve it for instances where the source's authenticity and validity are crucial to the argument's strength.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate reference" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "legitimate" modifies "reference". According to Ludwig, it correctly identifies a reference that is authentic, valid, and acceptable according to established standards. The phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate reference" is a phrase used to denote a source or citation that is credible, verifiable, and authentic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Although its frequency is rare, it's important to use it correctly. Ludwig AI underlines the importance of ensuring the chosen source is verifiable, aligns with established standards in your field and that the source's authenticity and validity are crucial to the argument's strength. Alternatives include "valid reference" and "credible source".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid reference

Replaces "legitimate" with "valid", emphasizing the authenticity and correctness of the reference.

credible source

Shifts focus from the reference itself to the source being referenced, highlighting its trustworthiness.

acceptable citation

Uses "acceptable" to indicate that the citation meets the required standards or criteria.

reliable source

Similar to "credible source", emphasizing the dependability of the information.

authentic reference

Replaces "legitimate" with "authentic", emphasizing the genuineness of the reference.

verifiable citation

Focuses on the ability to verify the information provided in the citation.

authorized source

Highlights that the source has been officially sanctioned or approved.

officially recognized reference

Emphasizes the formal recognition of the reference's legitimacy.

proper citation

Uses "proper" to indicate that the citation adheres to the correct format and guidelines.

justified reference

The word "justified" is used to ensure that the reference is justified or has a good reason.

FAQs

How can I ensure I'm using a "legitimate reference"?

Verify the source's credibility by checking its author, publication, and peer review status. Look for established and respected sources in your field.

What's the difference between a "legitimate reference" and just any reference?

A "legitimate reference" is one that is not only cited correctly but also comes from a trustworthy and authoritative source. Any reference might simply be something mentioned, regardless of its reliability.

Are "credible source" and "legitimate reference" interchangeable?

While closely related, a "legitimate reference" emphasizes the validity of the citation itself, whereas "credible source" focuses on the reliability of the source providing the information.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "legitimate reference"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "valid reference", "reliable source", or "authentic reference" to convey a similar meaning.