The reference is to

[Maybo]

What does “The reference is to” mean? Can we just say “The reference is”?

 

[Tarheel]

1. It's what it refers to. It's what it's about.
2. No.

 

[Maybo]

1. It's what it refers to. It's what it's about.

Can I say "the reference is about"?

 

[Tarheel]

I'm sure I would never say that.

 

[Maybo]

Does “is to” mean “point to”?

 

[Tarheel]

I don't think "is to" means anything.

 

[Flask]

View attachment 6056
What does “The reference is to” mean? Can we just say “The reference is”?

The to-prepositional phrase, here in subject complement position, further qualifies the subject noun phrase, reference:

We are talking about a reference to Trump's injury.
--> The reference is to Trump's injury.

The sentence is grammatically analogous to what you find below in the second sentence of each pair:

We are talking about a description of the roller coaster.
--> The description is of the roller coaster.

We are talking about his interest in what happened.
--> His interest is in what happened.

 

[Rover_KE]

Does “is to” mean “point to”?

To ask that question, you have to say 'Does "is to" mean "points to".

No, it doesn't.