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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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reference is taken

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reference is taken" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to indicate that a reference has been noted or acknowledged, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "In this report, reference is taken from various studies to support the findings."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Since CPCB guidelines do not mention the concentration limits for class A, B, and C for the parameter EC, the reference is taken from IS Standards for drinking water and European community Standards.

One reference is taken from George W. Bush's autobiography, Decision Points, where he quotes the Australian prime minister as saying that "a UN resolution was essential to winning public support" for the invasion.

News & Media

The Guardian

Specificity was lower than 98 99% reported in humans11,23, but when the fraction of reads mapped to reference is taken into account, the difference between results obtained for humans (89.5%) and newts (77.3%) is not large.

Science & Research

Nature

The reference is taken a step further with impromptu bondage and S&M "scenes" being played out on an elevated platform by scantily clad performers throughout the night – not presented as "shows," like they are in clubs such as Playhouse Hollywood.

News & Media

The Guardian

Reference is taken from primary water quality criteria for various uses of fresh waters laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

For contexts in which the theory of direct reference is taken for granted, rigidity and its consequences at least for names might be helpfully explained in terms of how they follow from direct reference: direct reference can take center stage.

Science

SEP
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Frege's pioneering work on sense and reference was taken up by Russell, whose seminal essay, "On Denoting", was a response to Meinong, who theorized the (non)existence of imaginary entities.

Science & Research

Nature

The loach reference was taken from one of the favourite poems of Azuma Koshiishi, a 75-year-old elder in the DPJ who is close to Mr Ozawa, with rare influence over him.

News & Media

The Economist

The reference was taken on a quartz cell filled with tridistilled water.

The prevalences based on the NCHS reference were taken directly from the database.

The pre-contrast reference was taken from a user-defined ROI in muscle (5 × 5 voxels).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing such as "reference is made" or "source is referenced" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "reference is taken" as it is grammatically unconventional. Instead, choose a more direct and grammatically correct alternative such as "reference is made" or "the data was taken from".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reference is taken" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a reference is being utilized. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not standard in written English and can be improved for clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reference is taken" is an unconventional passive construction used to indicate the citation or utilization of a source. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically questionable and less clear than alternatives like "reference is made" or "source is referenced". While it appears in various sources, mainly scientific and news media, its non-standard nature suggests that it should be used with caution, especially in formal writing. Opting for clearer alternatives ensures better communication and grammatical correctness.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "reference is taken"?

More grammatically sound alternatives include "reference is made", "the data was taken from", or "source is referenced".

Is "reference is taken" considered formal or informal?

Given its unconventional structure, "reference is taken" may not be suitable for formal contexts. Opt for clearer alternatives in academic and professional writing.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "reference is taken" to improve clarity?

Instead of "Reference is taken from this study", try "This study is referenced" or "This information is drawn from this study". These options provide better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What does "reference is taken" imply in academic writing?

In academic writing, "reference is taken" is intended to imply that information or data has been sourced from a specific study or publication. However, clearer wording is generally preferred.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: