we referenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we referenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you have cited or mentioned a source or piece of information in your writing. Example: "In our research paper, we referenced several studies that support our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Friday, we referenced a cover story in Absolute Return magazine that profiles Mr. Rocker.

The New York Times

Well, we referenced Buster Keaton in the development of the movie.

The New York Times

We referenced the 90-day studies on GM feed for which long-term or multigenerational study data were available.

The New York Times

We'd bring in our favourite childhood shows like Knight Rider and The A-Team, and take inspiration from movies like Speed, which we referenced a lot.

The Guardian - Tech

Oh man!" Fallah: "We were the only two Moroccans, but we were also the only two who wanted to go to Hollywood, and we referenced, like, Steven Spielberg... .. El Arbi: "... Jerry Bruckheimer.

The Guardian - Film

#Syria September 3, 2013 The 47th (@THE_47th) a lot of confusion on Abdeltawwab Shahrour's post: "Head of Med Services in Chemical Warfare Branch of Army" & "Head of Aleppo Forensics" September 3, 2013 12.20pm BST 'Defection from Assad's chemical weapons programme' Earlier, we referenced chatter about a significant defection from the Assad regime.

The Guardian

In the case of privately held fictional concerns, we referenced comparable fictional public companies.

Forbes

We referenced questions and latent variables from Aizaki et al. (2004) and Cacioppo et al. (1984).

Agricultural and Food Economics

We referenced several terms to explain certain concepts and artifacts within our process.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Gates: Bogle's op-ed piece in today's Wall Street Journal cites his same allocation rule that we referenced above.

Forbes

We referenced Instagram Do Not Disturb in our scoop about Instagram building a Usage Insights dashboard detailing how much time you spent on the app.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing. While "we referenced" is perfectly acceptable, consider using synonyms like "we cited", "we alluded to", or "we referred to" to enhance readability and avoid repetition. Use "we cited" when you need to emphasize a direct quotation.

Common error

While "we referenced" is generally acceptable, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. When appropriate, consider restructuring the sentence to emphasize the source itself, making it more dynamic. For example, instead of "We referenced the study by Smith et al.", try "Smith et al.'s study informed our analysis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we referenced" functions as a verb phrase indicating that the authors or speakers have cited, mentioned, or drawn upon a particular source or piece of information. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is commonly used to acknowledge prior work or data that supports the current analysis or argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we referenced" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that a source has been cited or mentioned. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, especially in scientific, academic, and journalistic writing. While synonyms like "we cited" or "we alluded to" can add nuance, "we referenced" remains a reliable choice for clear and accurate attribution. Remember to avoid overusing passive voice and be mindful of the specific implications when choosing alternative phrasing. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its validity and utility in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we cited

Indicates a direct quotation or mention of a source; slightly more formal than "we referenced".

we referred to

Similar to "we referenced", but can also imply seeking guidance or information.

we mentioned

A general term for bringing something to attention; less specific than "we referenced".

we made reference to

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "we referenced".

we alluded to

Suggests an indirect reference or hint, less explicit than "we referenced".

we drew upon

Implies using something as a basis or inspiration; more active than "we referenced".

we took inspiration from

Implies that something served as a creative stimulus; less about direct citation.

we consulted

Specifically indicates that we sought advice or information from an external source.

we built upon

Indicates that something was used as a foundation for further development.

we took into account

Suggests considering or factoring something into a decision or analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "we referenced" in a sentence?

You can use "we referenced" to indicate that you have cited or mentioned a source in your work. For example, "In our report, "we referenced" several government documents to support our claims."

What can I say instead of "we referenced"?

You can use alternatives like "we cited", "we referred to", or "we alluded to" depending on the context. Each alternative has slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "we referenced" or "we cited"?

Both "we referenced" and "we cited" are acceptable, but "we cited" often implies a more direct and formal quotation or mention of a source, while "we referenced" can be more general.

What is the difference between "we referenced" and "we alluded to"?

"We referenced" indicates a direct or indirect mention of something, while "we alluded to" implies a more subtle or indirect reference, often hinting at something without explicitly stating it.