In the words of

USAGE SUMMARY

'In the words of' is acceptable and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a quote or saying attributed to someone else. For example: "In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, 'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the words of Rod JJ.

The New Yorker

In the words of Preston: "Environment?

The Guardian

In the words of Senhor Balsemão … talvez.

The Guardian

In the words of Thomas Jefferson: whaaaaaaat?

The Guardian - Opinion

In the words of Owiny: "They are despised".

The Guardian

In the words of Aurora, "Seeing is not believing.

The New Yorker

In the words of the club's anthem: "On, Stanley, on".

Independent

In the words of Daniel Halloran, "That's politics".

The New Yorker

In the words of John Dryden, "Here is God's plenty".

The New Yorker

In the words of Sloane Stephens, "grass is grass".

The New York Times - Sports

In the words of Kierkegaard:  "In possibility everything is possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "In the words of", ensure the quote or paraphrase accurately reflects the original source's intent.

Common error

Avoid using "In the words of" if you are not directly quoting or closely paraphrasing the original speaker. Instead, use phrases like "According to" or "[Name] said that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In the words of" serves as an introductory phrase to attribute a subsequent statement or quotation to a specific source. It is commonly used to lend authority or emphasize the speaker's phrasing. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "In the words of" is a versatile introductory phrase used to attribute statements or quotations to a specific source. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, lending authority or emphasizing the speaker's particular phrasing. When using this phrase, ensure accurate attribution and consider alternatives like "according to" or "as stated by" for variations in formality or emphasis. This helps to make the writing be more precise and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In someone's words

Similar, but less common and slightly more ambiguous.

According to

More direct attribution, lacking the nuance of "in the words of".

In someone's own words

Emphasizes the originality of the statement.

Quoting

Implies direct quotation, less flexible for paraphrasing.

To quote

Directly introduces a quotation.

As stated by

More formal, emphasizes the act of stating.

As someone put it

More informal, suitable for personal anecdotes.

To paraphrase

To report the words or ideas of another.

Someone said

Simple attribution, lacks the formal tone.

The person said

Simple statement of something that a person said.

FAQs

How can I use "In the words of" in a sentence?

You can use "In the words of" to introduce a quote or paraphrase from a particular person. For example, "In the words of Albert Einstein, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge'".

What are some alternatives to "In the words of"?

Some alternatives include "according to", "as stated by", or "quoting", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "In the words of" or "According to"?

"In the words of" is best when you are directly quoting or closely paraphrasing someone, highlighting their specific phrasing. "According to" is more general and suitable when summarizing someone's views.

Can I use "In the words of" when paraphrasing someone?

Yes, you can use "In the words of" when paraphrasing, but ensure your paraphrase accurately represents the original speaker's intended meaning. If not, consider a phrase such as to paraphrase