a quotation

USAGE SUMMARY

'a quotation' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are using a quotation within a sentence, either directly from a source, or as a reference to a quotation. For example: "In the words of Winston Churchill, 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is not, potentially, a quotation?

The New Yorker

It's a quotation she remembers verbatim.

The New York Times - Arts

Or whether a quotation is misrepresented?

The New York Times

It did not even contain a quotation from Drury.

The New York Times

Accompanying this image is a quotation from Nietzsche's "Ecce Homo".

The New York Times - Arts

A quotation by Ernest Hemingway seems to exemplify her.

The New York Times

Even in setting up a quotation, "reason … because" is redundant.

The New York Times

The Mayor began w with a quotation from T.E.

The New Yorker

It seemed like a quotation begging to be fact-checked.

The New Yorker

The whole event a quotation of itself, a little boring.

The New Yorker

We've found only one lender to give us a quotation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use quotations sparingly and strategically to support your arguments, not to replace your own analysis.

Common error

Avoid using quotation marks for paraphrased content or general ideas. Quotation marks should only enclose the exact words of another author.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quotation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a segment of text or speech taken directly from a source. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quotation" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce or refer to extracted content from another source. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this, and the examples from Ludwig show its presence across various sources, especially in news, media, science and wiki contexts. When using "a quotation", it's important to provide proper attribution and avoid misusing quotation marks for paraphrased content. Consider using alternatives like "an excerpt" or "a passage" for subtle differences in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and correctly incorporate quotations into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excerpt

Focuses on a part extracted from a larger work.

a citation

Emphasizes the act of referencing a source.

a saying

Suggests a well-known or traditional phrase.

a passage

Highlights a specific section of text.

an extract

Implies taking something out from a source.

a reference

Indicates mentioning something to provide information.

a statement

Focuses on declaring something.

a line

Emphasizes a single sentence from something bigger.

a comment

Highlights a remark or observation.

a remark

Suggests an incidental statement.

FAQs

How to use "a quotation" in a sentence?

You can use "a quotation" to introduce a direct quote from a source, like this: "The essay begins with "a quotation" from Shakespeare."

What's the difference between "a quotation" and "a citation"?

"A quotation" refers to the exact words taken from a source, while "a citation" is the act of acknowledging the source of information, whether it's a direct quote or a paraphrase.

What can I say instead of "a quotation"?

You can use alternatives like "an excerpt", "a passage", or "a line" depending on the context.

When should I use single quotation marks within "a quotation"?

Use single quotation marks within "a quotation" to indicate a quotation within a quotation: The witness stated, "He said, 'I didn't do it.'"