reference to you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reference to you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when mentioning or alluding to someone in a discussion or text. Example: "In my report, I made a reference to you and your contributions to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Like the sexism on "Mad Men" these details —a country club that bans Jews, a sly reference to "you people"— are intended by Mr. Glazer to be viewed cringingly through the prism of contemporary culture.

The New York Times - Arts

And he gets to make a reference to "You going down on me... ...... Which is, frankly, just showing off.

Independent

We've talked so much about delusion and denial, with reference to You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, and yet there he is, seemingly, deluding and denying.

The Guardian - Film

But apron strings were untied a lot younger then, and as you grew up it became a word that, when used by your parents in reference to you, signified that as far as they were concerned you were both capable of and responsible for making your own decisions, even if they were stupid ones.

The New York Times

The person who knows you makes some reference to you and the other person says, "Oh, who's that?", and the person who knows you says, "You know, they are X".

BBC

As Elizabeth Bennet tells Lady Catherine, she alone is entitled "to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If that sounds like a very odd juxtaposition of artists and references to you, let me just say one word: Performa.

The New York Times - Arts

Make specific references to you visiting them as often as possible.

WikiHow

To give you that reference, to call you a soldier gives you far too much stature.

The New Yorker

To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature".

The New York Times

Aeropostale Shirt then makes some vague reference to parking ("you go here") and White Haired Man's partner loses her shirt.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reference to you", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity about who is being referenced. Providing additional context can help ensure clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "reference to you" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using more natural phrases like "mentioning you" or "talking about you" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reference to you" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something is related or connected to the person being addressed. It is used to highlight that a particular statement, action, or piece of information has relevance or bearing on that individual. Ludwig AI confirms it's correctness, and its usage can be seen across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reference to you" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is related or connected to the person being addressed. Ludwig confirms its correctness, although it's relatively infrequent. While versatile, consider the context to ensure it fits the desired tone, opting for less formal alternatives in casual settings. Its function is to draw attention to the relevance or impact of a topic on the recipient and it's more frequent in News & Media, Wiki and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

referring to you

Transforms the phrase into a participial phrase, emphasizing the act of referring.

mention of you

Replaces "reference" with a more direct term, focusing on the act of mentioning.

allusion to you

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

remark about you

Replaces "reference" with "remark", highlighting a specific comment or statement.

remarks about you

Uses "remarks" instead of "reference", highlighting a set of comments or statements.

statement regarding you

Uses "statement" instead of "reference", emphasizing a formal declaration or comment.

comment concerning you

Uses "comment" instead of "reference", implying a casual or informal remark.

notice of you

Emphasizes that you are being noticed or considered.

talk about you

Focuses on the act of discussing or talking about the addressed individual.

mentioning you

Turns the phrase into a gerund phrase, focusing on the action of mentioning.

FAQs

What does "reference to you" mean?

The phrase "reference to you" means mentioning or alluding to you in a discussion, text, or statement. It indicates that someone is making a connection or direct relation to you.

What are some alternatives to "reference to you"?

You can use alternatives like "mention of you", "allusion to you", or "comment concerning you", depending on the context.

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

You can use "reference to you" as in, "In my report, I made a "reference to you" and your contributions to the project." or "His speech included a direct "reference to you" and your accomplishments."

Is "reference to you" formal or informal?

The phrase "reference to you" leans towards a more formal tone. In casual settings, phrases like "mentioning you" or "talking about you" might be more appropriate.