Showing Reference in English: Formal Phrases and Examples

When writing an email, report, essay or proposal, you often need to make it clear what subject, statement or situation you are referring to. Learning the most useful expressions for showing reference in English will help you introduce topics, connect ideas and refer back to earlier information clearly. English has a wide range of expressions for doing this, including regarding, with regard to, in relation to and in terms of.

These expressions are especially useful for learners preparing for the Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced exams. They allow you to introduce topics, connect ideas, refer back to earlier information and organise your writing more clearly.

However, the expressions used for showing reference in English are not always interchangeable. Some introduce a general topic, while others show a connection, focus on one particular aspect or indicate that something follows a rule or policy.

Let us examine the most useful reference expressions and the differences between them.

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Regarding

Regarding means about or concerning. It is neutral to formal and is extremely common in professional emails, reports and official communication.

Regarding + noun or noun phrase

• Regarding your application, we will contact you within five working days.
• I am writing regarding the recent changes to the examination timetable.

Do not add to after regarding.

• Regarding your enquiry, we will reply shortly. ✅
• Regarding to your enquiry, we will reply shortly. ❌

Concerning

Concerning also means about or relating to. It is similar to regarding, although it can sometimes suggest that the subject involves a problem, question or matter requiring attention.

• We have received several complaints concerning the new booking system.
• The report raises several important questions concerning public safety.

Do not use about after concerning.

• We discussed several issues concerning the event. ✅
• We discussed several issues concerning about the event. ❌

Be careful because concerning can also be an adjective meaning worrying.

• The increase in online fraud is extremely concerning.

With regard to

With regard to is a formal way of saying regarding or about. It is particularly common in business correspondence, reports, proposals and formal exam writing.

• With regard to your proposal, the committee would like to request further information.
• With regard to the second question, more research is required.

The standard expression is with regard to, not with regards to, when you mean about.

• With regard to your request, we are pleased to confirm your booking. ✅
• With regards to your request, we are pleased to confirm your booking. ❌

However, regards is correct when sending good wishes:

• Please give my regards to your family.
• Kind regards,
  Daniel

In regard to

In regard to has almost the same meaning as with regard to. It is formal but slightly less common in British English.

• In regard to the proposed changes, further consultation will be necessary.
• Several questions were raised in regard to the organisation of the event.

For formal British English, with regard to is often the safer choice.

With respect to

With respect to means concerning or in relation to. It is formal and often appears in academic, legal and professional contexts.

• With respect to environmental policy, considerable progress has been made.
• The two systems differ considerably with respect to cost.

Be careful not to confuse this expression with with all due respect, which is used when politely disagreeing.

• With all due respect, I do not believe this proposal is financially realistic.

In reference to

In reference to is used when referring back to a particular message, question, document or previous communication. It is common in formal correspondence.

• In reference to your email dated 3 July, I can confirm that your payment has been received.
• I am writing in reference to the position advertised on your website.

Although this expression is correct, regarding and with reference to are often more natural in formal emails.

With reference to

With reference to is a formal expression used to introduce the subject of a letter or email, particularly when referring to earlier communication.

• With reference to your recent enquiry, please find the requested documents attached.
• I am writing with reference to the advertisement for an English teacher.

It is particularly useful as an opening phrase in a formal email.

In relation to

In relation to shows that one subject is connected with another. It can also be used to discuss how something should be considered in a particular context.

• Several questions were raised in relation to the new regulations.
• The company is reviewing its policy in relation to remote working.

Do not use in relation to when you simply want to compare two figures. In that case, compared with or compared to is usually clearer.

• Crime rates have risen compared with last year. ✅
• Crime rates have risen in relation to last year. ✗

In connection with

In connection with means related to or associated with. It is often used when there is a direct link between two things.

• The police interviewed three people in connection with the incident.
• We are contacting you in connection with your recent order.

This phrase is particularly common in official announcements, investigations and business communication.

In terms of

In terms of is used when focusing on one particular aspect of a larger subject. It often answers the question: In what way?

• The project was successful in terms of customer satisfaction.
• The two courses are similar in terms of content.

This expression is very useful in essays and reports because it allows you to divide a subject into different aspects.

• In terms of location, the hotel is ideal. However, in terms of price, there may be better alternatives.

Avoid using in terms of too frequently. It can make writing sound repetitive or unnecessarily vague.

Instead of: In terms of the students, they enjoyed the course.

Write: The students enjoyed the course.

As for

As for introduces a new topic that is connected with something already mentioned. It is more common in speech and semi-formal writing than in highly formal academic work.

• The hotel was comfortable and conveniently located. As for the food, it was rather disappointing.
• We have already chosen the venue. As for the date, no final decision has been made.

At C1 level, as for can help you shift smoothly from one aspect of a subject to another. Nevertheless, it may sound slightly conversational in a very formal report or essay.

As to

As to means concerning or regarding. It is more formal and less common than as for.

• There is still some uncertainty as to whether the plan will be approved.
• No decision has been made as to the location of the new office.

It frequently appears before question words such as whether, how, why, when and who.

• We have received no information as to when the repairs will be completed.
• There is some doubt as to whether the figures are accurate.

On the subject of

On the subject of is used to introduce or return to a particular topic. It is neutral and suitable for both spoken and written English.

• On the subject of accommodation, several affordable options are available.
• The report contains several useful observations on the subject of workplace communication.

When it comes to

When it comes to means when considering a particular subject. It is common in speech, articles and less formal writing.

• When it comes to learning vocabulary, regular revision is essential.
• The company performs well when it comes to customer service.

Although natural and useful, this phrase may be too conversational for a highly formal academic essay. In formal writing, you could use with regard to, in terms of or a direct topic sentence instead.

In the context of

In the context of is used when considering something as part of a wider situation, environment or set of circumstances.

• The expression has a different meaning in the context of business communication.
• The policy must be considered in the context of recent economic changes.

This is a useful C1-level expression for essays, reports and academic discussions.

In line with

In line with does not simply mean about. It means in agreement with, according to or following a rule, policy, expectation or principle.

• The changes were introduced in line with government regulations.
• Salaries will be reviewed in line with inflation.

Compare:

• Regarding the new regulations, several questions remain.
  This means the questions are about the regulations.
• The changes were made in line with the new regulations.
  This means the changes followed the regulations.

According to

According to is used to identify the source of information. It does not normally introduce the general topic of a sentence.

• According to the report, customer satisfaction has increased.
• According to recent research, regular exercise may improve concentration.

Do not normally use according to me when giving your own opinion.

• In my opinion, the proposal is too expensive. ✅
• According to me, the proposal is too expensive. ❌

Use according to for information obtained from another person, document, survey or source.

For reference

For reference is used when providing information that someone may need to consult later.

• For reference, I have attached a copy of the original agreement.
• For ease of reference, the main recommendations have been listed in the table.

The phrase for future reference means that information should be remembered or kept because it may be useful later.

• For future reference, all applications must be submitted online.

By way of background

By way of background introduces information that helps the reader understand the main subject.

• By way of background, the organisation was founded in 1998.
• By way of background, the original project involved only three schools.

This expression is useful in formal presentations, reports and professional correspondence.

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Choosing the Right Reference Expression

Although many of these expressions have similar meanings, they perform slightly different functions.

Use regarding, concerning or with regard to to introduce a topic:

• Regarding the conference, several changes have been announced.

Use with reference to or in reference to to refer back to a message, document or earlier communication:

• With reference to your previous email, I have attached the revised schedule.

Use in relation to or in connection with to show a link between two things:

• Several concerns were raised in relation to data security.

Use in terms of to focus on one particular aspect:

• In terms of affordability, the first option is preferable.

Use as for to move to another related topic:

• The venue has been booked. As for the catering, we are still comparing offers.

Use in line with to show that something follows a policy, rule or standard:

• The procedure was changed in line with official guidance.

Use according to to name the source of information:

• According to the survey, most participants preferred online lessons.

Phrases for Showing Reference in English in Cambridge Writing Tasks

Expressions for showing reference in English can be particularly useful in Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced writing tasks.

In a Formal Email

• With reference to your recent advertisement, I would like to apply for the position.
• Regarding the course fees, could you provide some additional information?
• In connection with my booking, I would like to request a change of date.

In an Essay

• In terms of educational opportunities, living in a city offers several advantages.
• With regard to environmental concerns, public transport should be made more affordable.
• This issue should be considered in the context of wider social changes.

In a Report

• With respect to the facilities, several participants suggested that the study area should be enlarged.
• In relation to the course content, the overall response was highly positive.
• The programme was successful in terms of both attendance and participant satisfaction.

In a Proposal

• Regarding publicity, the event could be promoted through social media.
• In line with the organisation’s objectives, priority should be given to younger learners.
• In terms of cost, hiring a local venue would be the most practical option.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering the phrases for showing reference in English can make an immediate difference to the quality of your writing. Expressions such as regarding, with reference to, in relation to and in terms of help readers understand exactly which topic, connection or aspect you are discussing.

They are particularly valuable in Cambridge exam writing, where clear organisation, accurate vocabulary and an appropriate level of formality are essential.

The best way to learn these expressions is not to memorise them as one long list. Instead, group them according to their purpose:

• introducing a topic
• referring back to earlier information
• showing a connection
• focusing on one aspect
• following a rule or standard
• identifying a source

Once you understand these differences, showing reference in English becomes much easier—and your writing becomes clearer, more precise and considerably more professional.

Related posts:

• Linking Words and Phrases 
• Prepositional Phrases for Formal Writing 
• How to Write a Report for C1 Advanced 
• How to Write a Proposal in English 
• Formal Language in English 
• How to Write a C1 Advanced Essay 
• Asking for and Giving Recommendations in English 
• Phrases for Paraphrasing in English 
• Words and Phrases for Conclusion 
• Common C1 Advanced Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them 

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