reference towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reference towards" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when indicating a direction or focus of a reference, but "reference to" is more standard. Example: "In her paper, she made a reference towards the historical context of the event."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

With this strong reference towards these principles emerging in the coalition government's policies it is worth re-examining the original vision; garden cities combine the very best of town and country living to create healthy homes for working people in vibrant communities.

The Guardian

This paper provides a reference towards how the urban environmental impacts drive economic policy and sustainability.

Procedia Environmental Sciences

The talks come as an FA investigation continues into allegations that referee Clattenburg made "inappropriate comments", including a racial reference, towards Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi.

BBC

The current study may furnish a reference towards developing efficient tactics for integrally advancing g-C3N4 for renewable energy generation, and disclose a new perspective into promoting charge separation via microstructure design.

Nano Energy

I kinda like that kind of wave," she claimed, making a general reference towards heavy, barreling waves over shallow reef.

Huffington Post

In fact, it is common for Lisa-centric episodes to either make reference towards her Vegetarianism and/or Buddhism, or have a scene of her crying at some stage.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There were references, towards the end of letters, to aching hands.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Solveig understood that the lyrics were probable references towards Madonna's life and thus received coverage in the press.

Wikipedia

We don't see her ex-husband's gambling addiction in action, but we do learn about it through references towards property lost to the addiction a boat, frequent flyer miles.

Vice

S. cerevisiae 259ST was found to be as hardy as the reference strains towards acetic acid, ammonium, furfural, and osmotic effects, which are inhibitory compounds in SSL.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology

Figure 1 shows the QCM frequency pattern for copper MIP and the respective reference material towards 1 mM aqueous solutions of copper and some interfering ions.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "reference towards" is understandable, prefer using the more common and grammatically standard phrase "reference to" for clarity and better reception.

Common error

Avoid using "reference towards" excessively in academic papers or formal documents. Opt for stronger, more direct phrasing such as "/s/reference+to" or a more specific verb that accurately conveys the intended meaning, such as "/s/allude+to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reference towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to indicate the direction or focus of a reference. However, Ludwig AI suggests that this construction is less common than alternatives like "reference to".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "reference towards" is understandable, it's less common and often considered less grammatically elegant than "reference to". Ludwig AI indicates that using "reference to" or other more direct alternatives will improve clarity. When deciding between these, consider the specific context and whether emphasizing the direction of the reference is truly necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reference to

More standard and common way to express a connection or direction of a reference.

allusion to

Indicates an indirect reference or subtle mention.

indication of

Highlights the role of the reference as a sign or signal.

mention of

A direct and simple way to refer to something that was mentioned.

point towards

Focuses on the directional aspect of the reference, suggesting a lead or direction.

orientation towards

Emphasizes the direction or alignment of a reference.

with regard to

Introduces a topic or subject that the reference concerns.

in relation to

Highlights the connection between the reference and another subject.

in connection with

Emphasizes the link or association that the reference has.

bearing on

Highlights the influence or relevance of the reference to a specific topic.

FAQs

Is "reference towards" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "reference towards" is less common and can sound awkward. Using "reference to" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "reference towards" and "reference to"?

"Reference to" is the standard and more widely accepted form. "Reference towards" implies a direction or orientation of the reference, which is usually unnecessary and better expressed with "reference to".

When should I use "reference towards"?

You can use "reference towards" to emphasize the direction or intent of a reference, but consider whether "reference to" would be clearer and more concise. Context matters.

What are some alternatives to "reference towards"?

Consider alternatives like "allusion to", "indication of", or "mention of" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.