reference is made

USAGE SUMMARY

"reference is made" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to acknowledge and refer to something that has been mentioned previously. Example sentence: Alex discussed the project at length; reference is made to his initial presentation for a detailed understanding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There isn't any, really, though explicit reference is made to a brief affair.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Always reference is made to 'acting on information provided by Interpol'".

The Guardian

Only one passing reference is made to the midterm elections that were upcoming at the time.

The Guardian - Film

A second and very direct reference is made to Magritte in "Fishman" (1973).

The New York Times

The weather has gone haywire, though no reference is made to global climate change.

The New York Times - Books

No reference is made in 1985 to the nascent AIDS activism movement.

The New York Times - Books

It is not until the performance is under way that any reference is made to Falun Gong.

The New York Times

In Stone's 2015-16 annual report, reference is made to a number of these operations being approved.

The Guardian

Although reference is made to some 70 different materials, the work is more an effort at classification than systematic description.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A little later, reference is made to the sea blockade of Bordeaux, which prevented any export of wine to neutral countries.

The New Yorker

An occasional reference is made; the plate for Isabella d'Este, for example, evokes the blue and gold designs of 16th-century Majolica.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing academically or technically, follow "reference is made" with precise details, ensuring readers can easily locate the source or information being referenced.

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice; using active voice (e.g., "the author referenced...") can make writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reference is made" functions as a passive construction used to acknowledge a prior mention or source. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and grammatical correctness. It emphasizes the act of referring rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reference is made" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to formally acknowledge a prior mention, source, or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. This phrase is frequently found in formal writing contexts such as news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active constructions for more direct and engaging writing. Alternative phrases, such as "mention is made" or "it is alluded to", offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. Employing "reference is made" effectively enhances clarity and demonstrates a connection to existing knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mention is made

Uses "mention" instead of "reference", emphasizing the act of noting something briefly.

allusion is made

Employs "allusion" instead of "reference", suggesting an indirect or subtle mention.

there is a reference

Changes the sentence structure to an active voice.

attention is drawn

Focuses on bringing attention to something, rather than just mentioning it.

note is taken

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging and recording something.

emphasis is placed

Highlights that importance is given to the mentioned element.

it is alluded to

Shifts focus to indirect referencing or hinting.

it is pointed out

Highlights the action of bringing something to someone's awareness.

it is indicated

Refers to showing or signaling something, often subtly.

consideration is given

Stresses thoughtful evaluation of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "reference is made" in a sentence?

Use "reference is made" to formally acknowledge something previously mentioned. For example, "In the report, "reference is made" to the study's limitations".

What's a more concise way to say "reference is made"?

Alternatives include "it is mentioned" or "it is alluded to", depending on whether the reference is direct or indirect.

Is it better to use "reference is made" or an active construction?

While grammatically correct, "reference is made" (passive voice) can sometimes be less direct than active constructions like "the author references" or "the study mentions". Choose based on desired emphasis and writing style.

What is the difference between "reference is made" and "mention was made"?

"Reference is made" generally implies a more formal or significant acknowledgement, whereas "mention was made" suggests a briefer or more casual noting. They are similar, but context dictates the best choice.