serve as reference

USAGE SUMMARY

'serve as reference' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is being used as a basis for comparison or a point of reference. For example, "The Hays Code served as reference throughout the early days of Hollywood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're the first ones to come to mind, and they serve as reference points for comparison.

Harvard Business Review

The results serve as reference for the design of HFTM and remote handling strategy.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

These results can serve as reference for large scale scrubber design.

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

These data serve as reference for the carrier density expected for STO in chemically controlled thermodynamic equilibrium.

Nature

These positions are then published in catalogs such as the AGK3 and serve as reference points for deep-space photography.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Also, a sample neither embedded with silver nor templated was synthesized and characterized to serve as reference.

Applied Surface Science

The conclusions and experimental data serve as reference for fire simulation, hazard assessment, and fire protection design.

Safety Science

The model parameters obtained in this study could potentially serve as reference values for model application in similar climatic regions.

Progress in Natural Science

The theoretical development as well as numerical solutions presented herein should serve as reference for nonlocal theories of nanoplates and nanoshells.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Copper electrode shows reversible voltammetric characteristics with high charge recovery ratio (qc/qa) suggesting that in this medium, Cu can certainly serve as reference electrode.

Electrochimica Acta

This is compiled on the basis of information gathered during the doorway numbering exercise and will serve as reference for government agencies and utility concessionaires.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve as reference", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being referenced and for what purpose. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "serve as reference" when the item in question only provides marginal or insignificant value. Reserve this phrase for cases where the reference point is genuinely helpful or crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve as reference" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the role or purpose of a subject. It specifies that the subject is intended to be used as a point of comparison or source of information. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

Academia

12%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serve as reference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something acts as a point of comparison, guidance, or information source. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence in scientific and academic writing suggests a formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being referenced and for what reason, as doing so will ensure clarity. Alternatives, such as "act as a guide" or "serve as a benchmark", can be used depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overstating the importance of the reference point to maintain credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as a benchmark

Substitutes "reference" with a term that specifically implies a standard for evaluation.

provide a basis for comparison

Emphasizes the comparative aspect of serving as a reference.

act as a guide

Replaces "reference" with a more directive term, emphasizing guidance.

function as a guideline

Focuses on the aspect of providing directions.

offer a point of orientation

Highlights the use of the subject as a way to understand a situation.

work as a model

Highlights the representative character of the subject, as something to imitate.

serve as a touchstone

Replace the subject of the phrase with something reliable as a test of quality or correctness.

offer insight

Replace reference for something that gives a deeper understanding.

provide direction

Replaces reference for something that helps to move forward.

provide a framework

Replace reference for something that structure the knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "serve as reference" in a sentence?

You can use "serve as reference" to indicate that something is used as a basis for comparison or guidance. For example, "The data acquired without hardware components "serve as reference"".

What are some alternatives to "serve as reference"?

Alternatives include "act as a guide", "serve as a benchmark", or "provide a basis for comparison" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "serve as a reference" or "serve as reference"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "serve as reference" is more concise and commonly used. The inclusion of 'a' does not significantly alter the meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "serve as reference" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly state that something provides essential context, guidance, or comparison for understanding or evaluating something else. For example, "These models will "serve as reference" for artistic research".