needs to be referenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be referenced" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "The statistics provided in this article need to be referenced before they can be accepted as fact."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Paperwork that does not require action, but needs to be referenced on a regular basis, can be kept in easily accessible areas, but not right out on tabletops, countertops and desks.

Huffington Post

Statistics on the global expenditure on food advertisements needs to be referenced.

F1000Research

3) There has been a lot of work on epidemiological parameters of EVD outbreaks and this work needs to be referenced more fully.

eLife

Start the software, open CNC program by going to Programs//EMCO//WinNC-Launch Reference the machine once you are up, the 7017 error code is telling you that the machine needs to be referenced.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For example, "Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, was a student of Columbia College" can be considered to be common knowledge and does not need to be referenced.

Columbia University

It was also another example of a man's religion speaking loudly without needing to be referenced at all.

HuffPost

These studies need to be referenced here.

F1000Research

Since Models 2-4 rely on this assumption, published experimental studies in line with this assumption need to be referenced.

F1000Research

In the third paragraph (p. 8, lines 13-15), the statistics on the burden of diabetes in Bangladesh need to be referenced.

F1000Research

J Health Popul Nutr 25:294-301 Tackling the risk factors of NCDs among children The suggestions provided at the start of the first paragraph in this section (p. 9) need to be referenced or substantiated with evidence.

F1000Research

NOTE: Both the Eisenhower Secondary Mathematics and Science Education Program and the Bush No Child Left Behind Act are readily known and probably do not need to be referenced; however, the following link describes the Eisenhower Professional Development Program: www2.ed.gov/inits/teachers/eisenhower/index.html.html

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "needs to be referenced", ensure that the source you are referencing is credible and relevant to your topic. This strengthens the validity of your claims.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be referenced" for information widely known or easily verifiable. Over-referencing can make your writing seem unnecessarily dense and detract from the main point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be referenced" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a requirement for citation or substantiation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be referenced" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a particular piece of information requires a citation for validation. Ludwig confirms its proper usage. It's most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts. Remember, while accurate referencing is essential, avoid over-referencing common knowledge. Consider alternatives like "requires citation" or "should be cited" for nuanced meaning. Using appropriate sources and avoiding over-referencing are key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be cited

Expresses a recommendation or obligation to cite.

should be credited

Emphasizes the need to give proper credit.

warrants referencing

Similar to the original but uses a more formal verb.

requires citation

Focuses specifically on the act of citing a source.

must be attributed

Highlights the importance of giving credit to the original source.

requires acknowledgment

Focuses on the act of recognizing the source of information.

demands substantiation

Emphasizes the need for supporting evidence.

calls for validation

Suggests that something needs to be confirmed or proven.

necessitates sourcing

Implies the need to identify and credit the origins of information.

is worthy of mention

Suggests the fact should be acknowledged or noted.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be referenced" in a sentence?

You can use "needs to be referenced" to indicate that a particular piece of information or a claim requires a citation or source to support its validity. For example: "The data presented in this section "needs to be referenced" to ensure accuracy".

What's a formal alternative to "needs to be referenced"?

A more formal alternative could be "requires citation" or "demands substantiation". These alternatives emphasize the necessity of providing evidence or sources to support a claim.

Is it always necessary to reference information when writing?

While not everything requires a reference, it's crucial to cite sources for information that is not common knowledge, data that supports your claims, or ideas that are not your own. This gives credit to the original author and strengthens the credibility of your work.

What is the difference between "needs to be referenced" and "should be referenced"?

"Needs to be referenced" implies a strict requirement for citation, suggesting that the information is incomplete or unsupported without it. "Should be referenced" suggests a recommendation for citation, often used when providing additional context or support would be beneficial but not strictly mandatory.