reference was made to

USAGE SUMMARY

"reference was made to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has previously been mentioned or alluded to. For example: "During the lecture, reference was made to a recent study on the effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No reference was made to negative impacts of expansion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last year, another reference was made to poisonous peanuts.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Reference was made to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Guardian

In addition, reference was made to a preliminary study conducted by Customs & Excise.

The Guardian

The extra name was that of another Kenyan, and no other reference was made to him.

The New York Times

In it reference was made to groups who "pay nurses for lists….

The New Yorker

In it reference was made to groups who "pay nurses for lists… DEPT.

The New Yorker

Details about his replacement are sketchy at this point, although some oblique reference was made to the hero being … "you".

The Guardian - Tech

Only a brief reference was made to the reasons why the palm oil industry is the subject of fierce debate.

Independent

In it reference was made to groups who "pay nurses for lists of women who have abortions".

The New Yorker

In tours, little reference was made to slavery or how the lives of slaves and of masters intertwined.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reference was made to" when you want to formally indicate that something was mentioned or alluded to earlier in a discussion or text. It's particularly useful in academic or professional writing.

Common error

While "reference was made to" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rephrasing using active voice where appropriate for more impactful communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reference was made to" serves as a passive construction used to indicate that a particular subject or item was mentioned or alluded to within a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound phrase used to refer to prior mentions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reference was made to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for formally indicating that something was mentioned or alluded to. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for academic and professional writing, though overuse of passive voice should be avoided. While versatile, alternatives like "mention was made of" or "it was referred to" may offer more directness depending on the context. The phrase is common in both scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting its widespread applicability across various domains. Authoritative sources, like The Guardian and The New York Times, often employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mention was made of

Focuses on the act of mentioning something, similar in meaning but slightly more direct.

it was referred to

A more concise and direct alternative.

allusion was made to

Implies a more indirect or subtle reference.

it was alluded to

Similar to "allusion was made to" but emphasizes the passive voice.

it was indicated

A more formal and neutral alternative, suggesting something was pointed out.

attention was drawn to

Highlights the act of bringing something to someone's attention.

citation was made of

Specifically relates to citing a source or authority.

it was brought up

A more informal way of saying something was mentioned.

the subject was touched upon

Implies a brief or light discussion of a topic.

there was a remark about

Focuses on a specific comment or remark.

FAQs

How can I use "reference was made to" in a sentence?

You can use "reference was made to" to indicate that something was mentioned or alluded to. For example: "During the meeting, "reference was made to" the budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "reference was made to"?

Some alternatives include "mention was made of", "it was referred to", or "allusion was made to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when making a reference?

While "reference was made to" (passive) is correct, using active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "Reference was made to the study", you could say "The speaker referenced the study".

What's the difference between "reference was made to" and "it was mentioned"?

"Reference was made to" is generally more formal. "It was mentioned" is a more straightforward and less formal way to indicate that something was brought up.