References: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when you want to point to various types of materials that provide additional information or support for a point or argument, commonly used in academic writing and reports.

• The paper includes references to several groundbreaking studies.

Refers specifically to the formal acknowledgment of sources within academic writing, often following a specific formatting style. This is a technical term generally used in scholarly contexts.

• Make sure to include a proper citation for any quotes you use from other works.

Denotes the origin of information, such as documents, people, or databases. It's often used in research or reporting to identify where information was obtained.

• The journalist verified the information with multiple sources before publishing the article.

Used when briefly acknowledging or bringing up a person, situation, or piece of information without going into detail. Suitable for casual conversation or informal writing.

• She made a brief mention of the issue during the meeting.

When providing neutral or factual details about someone's work history or qualifications, typically in a formal or professional setting.

• Please provide at least three professional references with your job application.
• His references confirmed his excellent problem-solving skills.

When suggesting someone or something as suitable for a particular purpose or job, often used in personal or professional referrals.

• I can give you a strong recommendation for your application.
• Her recommendation played a key role in him getting hired.

When giving a personal account of someone's abilities or the quality of a product or service, typically in marketing or customer feedback contexts.

• The customer's glowing testimonial increased trust in the brand.
• He gave a heartfelt testimonial about the teacher's impact on his life.

When publicly supporting or approving someone or something, often used in marketing, politics, or public relations.

• The celebrity's endorsement boosted the product's sales.
• She gave her endorsement to the candidate, which helped in winning the election.

Use this term when referring to sources of information or citations in academic, professional, or research settings. References provide evidence or support for claims or points made in texts.

• You should include at least ten references in your research paper.
• The references at the end of the book are very comprehensive.

This word is used to indicate any source of information, support, or assistance that can be used to achieve a goal or solve a problem. It is a broad term that can be used in educational, professional, or personal contexts.

• The library is an excellent resource for finding academic journals.
• Our team needs more resources to complete this project on time.

Use this term to refer to a detailed written instruction book on how to operate or fix a machine or a device. It implies a comprehensive, technical, and often user-focused document.

• Before using the new dishwasher, read the manual thoroughly.
• The car manual is in the glove compartment.

This term is appropriate when talking about a document or person that provides step-by-step instructions or directions on how to do something or how to get somewhere. It can also be used in a metaphorical sense to suggest insights or recommendations.

• This travel guide will help you explore the city with ease.
• He wrote a guide on how to start a small business.