Academic / B2

REFR-uh-ns/ˈrefrəns/

A reference is a source mention, a referee letter, or an ID number: a hanging reference; a UCAS reference. Refer is the verb (already in the dictionary). A hanging reference still loses marks. Mix-up: preference is a liking. Do not list a URL with no author as a full reference if the style guide forbids it.

Meaning

A mention of a source; also a letter about someone’s work, or a number that identifies something.

Examples

• “A hanging reference with no citation in the text still loses marks.”
• “Her line manager wrote a reference, which is the employment sense.”

Good to know

a reference to; Harvard references; a job reference. Verb: refer. Trap: preference. Coursework and HR. Source, referee, or code.

Topics

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