with reference to the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with reference to the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are addressing or discussing a specific question that has been posed. Example: "With reference to the question about our sales strategy, I believe we should focus on digital marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

With reference to the question of public interest, she wrote: "The picture I often refer back to, in my mind's eye, is that of the little girl, Kim Phuc, running naked and screaming, down that road in Vietnam in 1972, against a backdrop of smoke from a napalm attack by America's ally, the South Vietnamese air force.

The Guardian - Opinion

Theresa Hoare, by email With reference to the question (Letters, 15 November) about affordable accommodation near Kings Canyon in Australia, try the Kings Canyon Resort kingscanyonresort.com.au which has budget lodge rooms (doubles for A$110£6060) and Quad rooms for A$176).

The Guardian - Travel

The question of identity, in Goodman, is addressed with reference to the question whether the given artform allows for a notational system, i.e., for a "score" that would "specify the essential properties a performance must have to belong to the work" (1976, 212).

SEP

With reference to the question 'What are the common and differing aspects of genes and memes?

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Students were asked to reflect on their feelings of SE, with reference to the questions that they had answered eight times over the study.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

This difference can be explained with reference to the questions of what sorts of violence are rejected, and who is the recipient or beneficiary of nonviolent concern.

SEP

Whereas many epistemologists have noted that our epistemic goals are best characterized not as the generation of truths per se, but rather as the generation of significant truths (Kitcher 1993), feminists working from a situated approach recognize that "what is significant?" can only be answered with reference to the questions asked and the interests behind those questions (Anderson 1995b).

SEP

Meaning units, that is words or phrases related to the aim of the study, were identified and coded with reference to the questions: "What is it about?

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Table 1 The "improvement", defined by the number of correct answers in post-test coupled with a wrong answer in pre-test, was statistically significant for the physicians and midwifes with reference to the questions concerning their theoretical knowledge about LMA.

BMC Health Services Research

We noted interesting portions of text with reference to the research question, and explored ways in which these were related to the topic; then developed dimensions to group the descriptive concepts; and finally used axial coding to construct relationships between dimensions and concepts.

BMC Family Practice

Most issues concerning survey methods can be solved with reference to the anthropological questions of interest.

Encyclopedia of Archaeology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with reference to the question" to clearly indicate that your statement directly addresses a specific inquiry or topic. It's particularly effective in formal writing or discussions where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "with reference to the question" in informal settings where it can sound unnecessarily stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "regarding the question" or "about the question" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with reference to the question" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a statement that directly addresses a specific query. It's used to provide context and signal the relevance of the following information to the question at hand. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with reference to the question" is a prepositional phrase used to clearly indicate that a statement is directly addressing a specific inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms it’s grammatically correct, although it appears more frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. For simpler or less formal communication, alternatives like "regarding the question" or "concerning the question" may be more suitable. This phrase helps maintain clarity and focus, particularly in formal writing and discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with regard to the question

This is a close synonym, differing mainly in word choice.

regarding the question

This alternative is more concise and direct, suitable for less formal contexts.

in relation to the question

This alternative is very similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

as regards the question

This alternative is a slightly more old-fashioned synonym.

concerning the question

This alternative emphasizes the topic being addressed.

pertaining to the question

This alternative is more formal and highlights relevance.

in respect to the question

This alternative implies consideration or regard for the question.

in connection with the question

This alternative suggests a link or association with the question.

relative to the question

This alternative highlights the dependence or relativity to the question.

on the subject of the question

This alternative explicitly introduces the topic of discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "with reference to the question" in a sentence?

You can use "with reference to the question" to introduce a point that directly addresses a specific query, such as: "With reference to the question of budget allocation, we need to prioritize essential projects".

What are some alternatives to "with reference to the question"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding the question", "in relation to the question", or "concerning the question" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "with regards to the question" instead of "with reference to the question"?

While "with regard to the question" is grammatically correct and very similar in meaning, "with reference to the question" emphasizes a direct connection to a specific question that has been posed.

When should I use "with reference to the question" versus a simpler phrase like "about the question"?

Use "with reference to the question" in formal writing or when you want to clearly signal that you are specifically addressing a previously mentioned or well-defined question. "About the question" is suitable for more informal contexts.