What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deixis
Example
In the sentence 'I will meet you there,' the word 'there' is an example of deixis. [deixis: noun]
Example
The phrase 'this book' is an example of deixis because it refers to a specific book in the context of the conversation. [deictic: adjective]
reference
Example
The article made reference to several studies that supported the author's argument. [reference: noun]
Example
She referenced the book in her presentation to provide evidence for her claims. [referenced: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reference is more commonly used than deixis in everyday language and writing. Reference is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts and fields, while deixis is more technical and limited to linguistics and language studies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deixis and reference?
Deixis is associated with technical language and linguistics, making it more formal than reference. However, reference can also be used in formal contexts, such as academic writing and research papers.
