referring to the above

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "referring to the above" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to direct the reader's attention to something mentioned earlier in the text. Example: "In the previous section, I discussed the main findings; referring to the above, we can conclude that further research is necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Referring to the above analysis on FTIR spectra, the amount of the incorporated oxygen also increases as the annealing temperature increases.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Thus, by referring to the above definitions of direct, indirect and total water uses, it will be readily apparent that the output of sector i, x i, is carried out by using the quantity of water consumed directly by this sector, w i d (m3).

Journal of Economic Structures

Hospitals for completion of treatment, prolonged treatment and rehabilitation – In these hospitals, activities referring to the above b and c hospitals are carried out.

BMC Health Services Research

Referring to the above example with clinical and biomarkers composed of four feature sets each, at least all combinations of thresholds of both classifiers need to be evaluated per patient subgroup (2 · 19 = 38 comparisons).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The results on 22 known biomedical SNP markers that decrease TBP affinity for human gene promoters are presented in Table 2. Let us analyze them briefly referring to the above examples.

BioMed Research International

We predicted that profile differences might exist, with ADHD children being more impaired in inhibition and working memory and children with ASD showing greater difficulties in flexibility and planning referring to the above mentioned studies by Nigg and Hill [ 2, 3].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Referring to the above-mentioned interviewer control, it should be noted that if there is a guide, the guide is meant as a guide, not a script.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

We refer to the above reviews and references therein for more detailed explanation of the molecular and cellular aspects of angiogenesis after stroke.

Angiogenesis

It might seem odd to refer to the above hierarchies as hierarchies of definability.

SEP

We refer to the above method as the self-adaptive exact implicit method.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

end{aligned}In what follows, (p, q) will specifically refer to the above endpoint.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "referring to the above" when you need to explicitly direct the reader's attention back to a specific point or section that is essential for understanding the current context. It enhances clarity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "referring to the above" in informal writing or speech. It can sound overly formal and stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "as I said" or "as mentioned earlier" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "referring to the above" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It directs the reader to previously mentioned information, ensuring comprehension and maintaining cohesion within the text. Ludwig provides examples showing this function in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

Wiki

15%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "referring to the above" serves as a useful tool for directing readers to previously discussed information, maintaining clarity and cohesion in formal writing. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts. While effective in guiding the reader, it's important to consider the tone and context, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. By understanding its purpose and register, you can effectively use this phrase to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reference to the above

This option maintains the reference aspect, but uses a slightly more formal tone.

as previously mentioned

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the prior mention rather than the act of referring.

as discussed above

This specifies that the referent was previously addressed through discussion, suitable if the context involved some discussion.

as stated earlier

This alternative highlights that the information has already been presented, focusing on the statement itself.

given the above

This indicates that the prior information forms the basis for what follows.

regarding the above

This alternative is shorter and less explicit about the act of referencing.

with regard to the above

This alternative has a more formal tone, often used in academic or professional contexts.

concerning the aforementioned

This uses a more formal and emphatic way of referring to something already noted.

in light of the above

This alternative implies that the subsequent information is influenced or explained by what was previously mentioned.

pursuant to the above

This suggests the following action is taken in accordance with the earlier statement, mostly applied in legal or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "referring to the above" in a sentence?

You can use "referring to the above" to direct readers to a previous statement or section. For example, "Referring to the above analysis, we can see a clear trend."

What phrases are similar to "referring to the above"?

Alternatives include "as previously mentioned", "as stated earlier", or "in reference to the above". Choose the one that best fits the context and tone of your writing.

Is "referring to the above" formal or informal?

"Referring to the above" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "as I said" or "like I mentioned before".

When is it appropriate to use "referring to the above"?

It is appropriate when you need to explicitly guide your reader back to a specific point made earlier in the text, especially when that point is crucial for understanding the current discussion. If that reference isn't crucial to understand the current discussion, don't use this phrase.