adjectives - "Above"/"below" before/after a noun


I have seen sentences similar to the following:



(1) See the reference above.


(2) See the reference below.



And,



(3) See the above reference.



But not,



(4) See the below reference.



Are all these forms acceptable? Which is/are preferred in formal writing?



Answer



There is not really any difference between reference above and above reference, but some publishers may prefer one or the other. Below reference will be rare, if it is found at all.


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