under a reference to

USAGE SUMMARY

"under a reference to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a statement or action which is done in accordance with a previous reference or consideration. For example: "The new law was passed under a reference to the previous legal code."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now," Craig observes, "the state of Norway owns a third of the mineral rights under my property"—a reference to Statoil, an energy company principally owned by the Norwegian government that possesses a non-operational stake in the miniature goldmine of gas beneath his home.

Vice

> DBs from the P-Xst zone (see Douillet et al. 2013) are grouped under the term "elongate" as a reference to their usual shape.

Bulletin of Volcanology

The Florida senator said of the two Democratic alternatives Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, "one is a socialist and the other is under investigation", a reference to the ongoing controversy over the former secretary of state's private email server.

The Guardian

The following correction was printed in the Guardian's Corrections and clarifications column, Wednesday 12 May 2010 Surveying local-election outcomes, the piece below said that in Liverpool, Labour last held power under Derek Hatton, a reference to the city's deputy council leader disqualified from office along with several colleagues in 1987, after a ruling by the law lords.

The Guardian

The name I perform under is a reference to European statues or paintings of the Virgin Mary dating back to the medieval period or earlier.

Vice

The company, Four Wheels Under an Umbrella (a reference to the car's canvas roof), offers three types of tours.

The New York Times - Travel

Diane Von Furstenberg called her collection of safari jackets and breezy caftans "Under the Volcano," a reference to tropical literary heat.

The New York Times

Mr. Reedy expressed similar reservations "because I don't know what Sharon has under his sleeves," a reference to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.

The New York Times

It relates to calls for economic, cultural or academic boycotts of the state, its institutions or any area under its control, a reference to occupied territories.

The New York Times

The day after Hezbollah's takeover, the banner headline on the Saudi-owned pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat proclaimed, "Beirut Under the Second Occupation," a reference to the Israeli siege and occupation of Beirut, in 1982.

The New Yorker

Scenes of the barricades, the police charges and the tear gas are dear to the French, recaptured in every magazine and scores of books, including one by photographer Marc Riboud, now 84, called: "Under the Cobblestones," a reference to a famous slogan of the time from the leader-jester, Mr. Cohn-Bendit, now a member of the European Parliament: "Under the cobblestones, the beach".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under a reference to", ensure the reference is clearly defined and easily understood by your audience. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the logical connection you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "under a reference to" in contexts where simpler prepositions like "with" or "according to" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under a reference to" functions as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a condition or context based on a prior source. Although Ludwig has limited examples, it indicates a formal relation to existing material.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under a reference to" is grammatically correct and aims to establish a clear connection between an action or statement and a prior source. However, it lacks widespread usage, as highlighted by Ludwig's limited examples. Consequently, while appropriate in formal and scientific contexts, it may be overcomplicating the language, and simpler alternatives could convey your message with greater clarity. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring your reference is explicit and the context benefits from such formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to

Indicates alignment with a specific source or guideline.

in relation to

Offers a direct synonym for 'reference'.

based on

Highlights the foundation upon which something is built.

with regard to

Similar to 'with respect to', but slightly more direct.

with respect to

Changes the prepositional structure for a more formal tone.

in light of

Suggests consideration of new information provided by the reference.

in connection with

Indicates an association or relationship to the reference.

in accordance with

Emphasizes compliance with established rules or standards.

pursuant to

A formal term indicating action taken following a specific legal or regulatory framework.

by virtue of

Highlights the authority or justification provided by the reference.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "under a reference to" for clarity?

Consider alternatives like "according to", "based on", or "in relation to" depending on the specific context. These options often provide greater clarity and conciseness.

Is "under a reference to" always the most precise choice?

Not necessarily. Simpler prepositions or phrases like "according to" or "based on" can sometimes convey the same meaning more effectively.

When is it appropriate to use "under a reference to"?

This phrase is suitable when you want to explicitly state that something is being done or considered in direct connection with a specific prior statement, document, or guideline.

What are some common words to use with "under a reference to"?

Commonly associated words include "law", "policy", "document", "statement", "guidelines" and other terms indicating an official or formal source of information.