by citing

USAGE SUMMARY

"by citing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to quoting or referring to a source to back up an opinion or statement. For example, "John argued that the policy was unfair, by citing specific examples of people who had been treated unfairly by the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But by citing them, the A.C.L.U.

The New York Times

He counters by citing Winston Churchill.

The Guardian

"Pierrot le Fou" begins by citing Velázquez; "Passion" by citing Rembrandt.

The New York Times

Clark lends authority by citing Russian-French falsificatiofs of documents.

The New York Times - Books

Support your opinion by citing evidence from your research.

The New York Times

Mr. Herman ultimately prevailed by citing a historical precedent.

The New York Times

I erred by citing it in my column.

The New York Times

Later, he defended his remarks by citing that point.

The New York Times

He justifies his income by citing market forces.

The Guardian

Mr. Kerry followed by citing a favorite personal detail.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush began by citing a source, the British government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by citing", ensure the cited source is credible and relevant to your argument. Provide enough context for the reader to understand the connection.

Common error

Avoid simply dropping citations without explaining their relevance to your argument. Always clarify how the cited source supports your point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by citing" functions as an adverbial phrase of means, modifying a verb to indicate the method or action used to achieve a particular result. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by citing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce evidence or support for a claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When incorporating "by citing" in your writing, always ensure the relevance and credibility of your sources. Enhance clarity by explaining the link between the citation and your argument. Keep the writing neutral for professional use, and formal in scientific publications. Related options include "by referencing" and "by pointing to", offering nuanced alternatives for different writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by referencing

Emphasizes the act of mentioning a source without necessarily quoting it directly.

by quoting

Specifically refers to using the exact words from a source.

by pointing to

Suggests a more direct and focused way of drawing attention to evidence.

by adducing

A more formal term for presenting evidence or proof.

by presenting

Focuses on the act of offering information for consideration.

by giving instances of

Highlights the use of specific examples to support a point.

by alluding to

Suggests a more indirect or suggestive reference.

by invoking

Implies a formal or authoritative appeal to a source.

by drawing upon

Emphasizes the use of a source as a foundation for an argument.

by making reference to

A more verbose way of saying "by referencing".

FAQs

How can I effectively use "by citing" in a sentence?

Use "by citing" to introduce evidence or examples that support your claims. For example, "The author supports his argument "by citing" several studies on climate change".

What are some alternatives to using "by citing"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "by referencing", "by quoting", or "by pointing to".

Is there a difference between "by citing" and "by referencing"?

"By citing" often implies a more direct use of a source, while "by referencing" can be a more general acknowledgment of a source's influence or contribution.

How can I avoid misusing "by citing" in my writing?

Ensure that the source you are citing is relevant and that you clearly explain how it supports your argument. Avoid using citations as a substitute for your own analysis.