without reference to

USAGE SUMMARY

"without reference to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is not related to a particular subject. For example: "This assessment will be made without reference to past performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each may be supported without reference to any other.

The Guardian - Opinion

You cannot create music without reference to other music.

The Guardian - Tech

"Without reference to the share price, that is.

The Guardian - Business

Third, no EU controversy is without reference to its bureaucracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

People die without reference to life-expectancy trends.

The Washington Post

It was made "without reference" to the fund's limited partners.

The Guardian

Initially, do this without reference to course chronology.

University of California, Berkeley

Governments should tackle disadvantage directly, without reference to race.

The Economist

And wouldn't any effort to explain human nature without reference to a soul, and to explain morality without reference to God, necessarily constitute "atheistic materialism"?

The New York Times

Our taxes are used, without reference to us, for weapons to kill in the Balkans.

The Guardian

Her sinuous reliefs suggest complex yoga poses, but without reference to specific body movements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without reference to" to clearly indicate that a decision, action, or statement is made independently of a particular factor or piece of information. This helps to avoid ambiguity and clearly delineate the scope of consideration.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "without reference to" in very informal settings can sound overly formal or pretentious. Consider using simpler alternatives like "regardless of" or "without considering" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without reference to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase signifies that something is done or considered independently, setting aside particular factors, criteria, or information. It introduces a condition of independence or exclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without reference to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being considered or done independently of a particular factor or piece of information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic, and business contexts, offering a clear and concise way to specify exclusions or independent bases for decisions and statements. While it is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose simpler alternatives when appropriate to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irrespective of

Focuses on the lack of influence or relevance, emphasizing that something is not affected by something else.

regardless of

Similar to "irrespective of", it highlights that something happens despite a particular factor.

independently of

Emphasizes that something exists or occurs separately, without being influenced by another factor.

not considering

Highlights the act of deliberately omitting something from consideration.

excluding

Focuses on the act of leaving something out.

disregarding

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or overlook something.

ignoring

Similar to disregarding, it suggests a lack of attention or consideration.

aside from

Indicates that something is not included or relevant.

separate from

Highlights the distinct nature of something, emphasizing its lack of connection.

unrelated to

Clearly states that there is no connection between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "without reference to" in a sentence?

You can use "without reference to" to indicate that something is done or considered independently of something else. For example, "The study was conducted "without reference to" previous findings to avoid bias."

What phrases are similar to "without reference to"?

Similar phrases include "regardless of", "irrespective of", or "independently of". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "without regards to" instead of "without reference to"?

While "without regard to" is a similar phrase, ""without reference to"" is often preferred when emphasizing a lack of specific information or sources used in making a decision or statement.

What's the difference between "without reference to" and "irrespective of"?

"Without reference to" suggests a lack of reliance on specific information, while "irrespective of" implies that something is not affected by something else. For example, "The decision was made "without reference to" the budget" (no budget information was consulted), versus "The project will proceed "irrespective of" the weather" (the weather will not stop the project).