reference to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reference to me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a mention or citation of oneself in a conversation, text, or document. Example: "In her speech, there was a clear reference to me when she talked about the project's impact on our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The festival has been a constant musical reference to me.

The Guardian - Music

One biographical reference to me many years later said that I was born in 'Strangeways' – I had to explain it was the district, not the jail".

Independent

There was a lot of blog discussion of a reference to me and Dot Earth in a section of the document that Heartland now says is fictitious.

The New York Times

"I believe it shows that the civil servants in Downing Street did nothing more than seek to establish what was expected of me, and that this was done, quite properly, without reference to me.

The Guardian

Anders Behring Breivik, the man who has confessed to the Friday attacks in Norway that killed at least 96 people, makes a glancing reference to me in the "manifesto" he apparently put on the internet hours before he began his killing.

The Economist

'You should try a different one, William.'... "Miss Frost's second reference to me as William had given me an instant erection — though, at 15, I had a small penis.... (Suffice it to say, Miss Frost was in no danger of noticing that I had an erection)." Billy then confesses his pronunciation problems to us; "penis" comes out as "penith," to rhyme with "zenith".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

And the words – Hellhound on My Trail has all these references to "me and the devil walking side by side", and it really adds to the appeal.

The Guardian - Music

The Labour leader added: "You chose to make a number of references to me today.

Independent

For now, here are the 10 books that developers from Osaka to Ohio have most commonly referenced to me.

The Guardian - Tech

I should stress, however, that these aren't the only books ever referenced to me in development studios.

The Guardian - Tech

"In light of these matters, my lawyers on my behalf have invited the commission to immediately retract all references to me in the publication.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reference to me" when you want to specify that something directly mentions or alludes to you personally. It clarifies that you are the subject of the reference.

Common error

Avoid using "reference to me" when something is simply relevant to you but doesn't explicitly mention or allude to you. Instead, use phrases like "relevant to my situation" or "applicable to me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reference to me" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adjective to modify a noun. It indicates that a particular statement, text, or idea pertains specifically to the speaker. As shown by Ludwig, it is primarily used to specify a direct mention or allusion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reference to me" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something directly mentions or alludes to the speaker. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent use in news, media, and general writing, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "mention of myself" or "regarding me" exist, it's crucial to use "reference to me" when specifying a direct personal connection, avoiding confusion with broader relevance. Remember to use this phrase accurately to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mention of myself

Replaces "reference" with "mention" and uses the reflexive pronoun "myself" for added clarity.

allusion to me

Substitutes "reference" with "allusion", implying a more indirect or subtle mention.

pertaining to me

Changes the structure to emphasize relevance or connection to the speaker.

regarding me

Uses a preposition to indicate the subject of discussion.

concerning me

Similar to "regarding me", but can suggest a sense of worry or importance.

directed at me

Focuses on the act of something being aimed or intended towards the speaker.

with respect to me

Adds a formal tone, indicating consideration or relation to the speaker.

in relation to myself

More emphatic version using reflexive pronoun, highlighting the connection to the speaker's identity or situation.

in connection with me

Suggests a link or association, often in a broader context.

bearing on me

Implies something has an influence or effect on the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "reference to me" in a sentence?

You can use "reference to me" to indicate that something is mentioning or alluding to you. For example, "The article included a "reference to me" and my research."

What can I say instead of "reference to me"?

You can use alternatives like "mention of myself", "allusion to me", or "regarding me" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a reference of me" instead of "reference to me"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is ""reference to me"". "A reference of me" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "reference to me" and "relevant to me"?

"Reference to me" implies a direct mention or allusion, while "relevant to me" simply means something is applicable or important to your situation, without necessarily mentioning you directly.