Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
references to action
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "references to action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing mentions or allusions to specific actions in a text or conversation. Example: "The report includes several references to action taken by the committee in response to the community's concerns."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
The final scene at Globex contains several references to action and James Bond films.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Correction: November 4 , 2001 Sunday An answer in the Q. & A. column last Sunday about "no pet" clauses in co-op leases reversed the references to actions that must be taken against violators within 90 days in the boroughs.
News & Media
Specifically, references to actions are held in a list ordered ascending by time of expiration, which is the time of last execution of a dependent action plus θ.
Whilst the SM describes material processes as embodying our external experiences and, thus, include references to actions and events, the CG model instead employs the term 'action' on the grounds that, as Neale (Neale 2002: 80) argues, 'not all actions are material'.
Science
Any and all external support has to stop," in a reference to action in the Senate.
News & Media
They key thing here is that the free-energy principle reduces the problem of learning an optimum policy to the much simpler and well-studied problem of perceptual learning, without reference to action.
Science
Over the last five years reference to action at a social and political level, and population level empowerment associated with conceptualisation of critical health literacy, have declined [ 5].
Science
As well as in reference to actions, the Nazis used euphemisms to refer to the actual equipment used to carry out killing.
Wiki
This is a reference to actions by the Akali Dal, which ran Punjab's state government until March last year.
News & Media
Glassing is now a term starting to pop up in the twittershpere in reference to actions taken while using the Google device.
News & Media
Here we seem to have the same essentially puzzling phenomena present in Chisholm's original example, yet there is no apparent reference to actions above at all; instead the reference seems to be to states of affairs only.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "references to action", ensure the context clearly defines what actions are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the type of action or the source from which the references originate.
Common error
Avoid using "references to action" without sufficient context. If the actions being referenced are unclear, the phrase becomes vague and less informative. Always provide specific details to clarify the nature of the actions being discussed.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "references to action" serves as a noun phrase, functioning as a subject or object within a sentence. It generally describes instances where actions are mentioned, alluded to, or documented, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.
Frequent in
News & Media
36%
Science
36%
Wiki
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
6%
Encyclopedias
4%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "references to action" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes instances where actions are mentioned or alluded to. While it is not extremely common, as noted by Ludwig, it appears in a variety of contexts, including news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. To ensure clarity, it's best to use the phrase with specific details about the actions being referenced. Alternatives include "mentions of action" and "allusions to action", but always consider the specific nuance you wish to convey.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
allusions to action
Focuses on indirect mentions or hints toward actions, rather than direct references.
mentions of action
A more straightforward alternative, simply indicating that actions are spoken of or written about.
citations of actions
Implies a more formal or documented reference to actions.
allusions regarding action
Slightly more formal and verbose way of expressing the same idea as "allusions to action".
indications of action
Suggests actions are hinted at or implied, rather than explicitly stated.
allusions concerning action
Similar to "allusions regarding action", but using "concerning" instead of "regarding".
allusions with respect to action
More formal and verbose, indicating the allusions pertain to the subject of action.
notes on actions
Suggests brief or informal mentions of actions.
remarks about actions
Focuses on spoken comments or observations about actions.
commentary on actions
Implies a more detailed analysis or interpretation of actions.
FAQs
How can I use "references to action" in a sentence?
You can use "references to action" to describe instances where actions are mentioned or alluded to. For example, "The report includes several "references to action" taken by the committee" or "The novel is full of "references to action" that occurred during the war".
What are some alternatives to "references to action"?
Some alternatives include "mentions of action", "allusions to action", or "indications of action", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to say "references to action" or "references of action"?
"References to action" is the correct and more common phrasing. "References of action" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used.
What's the difference between "references to action" and "calls to action"?
"References to action" describe mentions or allusions to actions that have been, are being, or could be taken. On the other hand, "calls to action" are prompts or instructions designed to encourage someone to take a specific action.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested