with specific reference to

USAGE SUMMARY

"with specific reference to" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a point or idea that has already been discussed, such as: "With specific reference to the cost of construction, this project is not viable at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo wrote back with specific reference to the war the Israelis called "Operation Cast Lead".

The New York Times

Paul notes this with surprise but repeats — with specific reference to this litany of embedded ads — "I love it".

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, May 11 , 1968P. 107 U.S. JOURNAL about race relations in Kansas City, with specific reference to a recent hearing on fair-housing ordinances.

The New Yorker

Lily Allen launched the video to her comeback single, Hard Out Here, which takes aim at music industry sexism with specific reference to the Blurred Lines video.

The Guardian - Music

When this was vetoed by their record distributors, they changed it to Kill Em All, with specific reference to the distributors.

The Guardian

This final workshop will teach students how to make their own way through pop all by themselves, with specific reference to the the precise art of the post-X Factor Christmas single.

The Guardian - Music

Commenting on the adjudication, Ipso chief executive Matt Tee said: "Clause 1 of the editors' code was amended in January 2016 with specific reference to 'headlines not supported by the text'.

The Guardian

Michael suggested that his company would be prepared to spend up to $1m on investigating the personal lives of journalists who criticised the company, with specific reference to Sarah Lacy, co-founder of tech news site PandoDaily.

The Guardian - Tech

2 Organise pre‑match team bungee jump! 3 Johnno to chair discussion of inter‑dwarf drunken rugby manoeuvres night out, with specific reference to Mike Tindall having his huge bald pate fondled by a non-royal woman.

The Guardian - Sport

Intended to boost the number of "micro-entrepreneurs" who make small amounts of money online, the tax breaks were introduced by the chancellor, George Osborne, with specific reference to the online marketplace eBay and the short-term lettings site Airbnb.

The Guardian - Tech

The name caught on quickly and found its way into music history books, with specific reference to Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Aleksandr Borodin, César Cui, and Modest Mussorgsky.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with specific reference to" when you want to clearly signal that you are focusing on a particular aspect of a broader topic already under discussion. This helps to maintain clarity and focus in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with specific reference to" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "regarding" or "about" are often more appropriate and less cumbersome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with specific reference to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a particular focus or aspect within a broader topic or discussion. It serves to narrow the scope and highlight a specific element for detailed consideration, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with specific reference to" is a common prepositional phrase used to narrow the focus of a discussion or analysis to a particular aspect. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's most frequently found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in directing attention to relevant details. While valuable for its precision, remember to reserve it for formal contexts where clarity and focus are paramount. For less formal settings, consider simpler alternatives like "regarding" or "concerning". By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively incorporate this phrase to enhance clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with particular regard to

Emphasizes consideration of a specific aspect. The focus is slightly more on the act of considering something.

in relation to

Indicates a connection or association. It's more general and might not imply the same degree of focused attention.

pertaining to

More formal and indicates relevance or connection. It is not as commonly used in everyday conversation.

in connection with

Highlights an association or link. Less focused than "with specific reference to".

with emphasis on

Highlights a particular element, but does not specify if previously discussed.

regarding

A more concise way to introduce a topic, but lacks the emphasis on specificity.

concerning

Similar to "regarding" but can sometimes imply a sense of worry or importance.

relative to

Indicates a comparison or proportion. Useful when discussing data or metrics.

on the subject of

Introduces a topic of discussion but doesn't necessarily imply a detailed examination.

vis-à-vis

A more sophisticated way to indicate comparison or relationship, often used in formal writing.

FAQs

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

Use "with specific reference to" to narrow the scope of a discussion to a particular element. For example, "With specific reference to the budget, the project is unfeasible."

What are some alternatives to "with specific reference to"?

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

What's the difference between "with specific reference to" and "with particular reference to"?

The phrases "with specific reference to" and "with particular reference to" are nearly interchangeable. However, "specific" implies greater precision, while "particular" denotes something special or distinct.

Is "with specific reference to" formal or informal?

The phrase "with specific reference to" is generally considered formal and is suitable for academic, professional, or official contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.