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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
citation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "citation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a quoted passage from a book, article, or other source. For example, "She included a citation from Albert Einstein in her essay to support her argument."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
However, the Nobel committee's citation said the prize was a more general one, to mark "its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons" and nudge the few remaining nations that had not yet signed up to the organisation.
News & Media
Both went to al-Jazeera for its continuing campaign to get all its imprisoned journalists freed – the citation nestling alongside the Fifa World Cup trophy tour and other superior things.
News & Media
In their citation for the Guardian's site, the judges said: "Through digital innovation, great journalism, industry-leading design and its approach to social media, the winning sport website sets the bar high in every area that matters to sports fans everywhere".
News & Media
In its citation, the King Baudouin Foundation said IGGs represented 17,100 households, accounting for around 97,000 people, in four hillside regions in Burundi.
News & Media
In their citation, the judges from the Society for News Design, based in the New York, said: "We liked the Guardian's section-by-section consistency.
News & Media
As the NSA itself explained in its guidelines submitted to the Fisa court: "Analysts who request tasking will document in the tasking database a citation or citations to the information that led them to reasonably believe that a targeted person is located outside the United States.
News & Media
His citation of immigration as the root difficulty in housing and health failed to rouse the audience.
News & Media
Jewish settlers on the West Bank, repeating a longstanding inaccurate citation of then-Israeli Prime Minister Abba Eban from a 1969 interview, call them "Auschwitz borders".
News & Media
"HE HAS principles and convictions," read the citation for Demóstenes Torres in Época's list of the 100 most influential Brazilians of 2009.
News & Media
A random check carried out this week showed that there is one citation on Google News for every 50,000 Chinese or Indians, 20,000 Bangladeshis, 8,000 Pakistanis, 5,000 Russians, 3,400 Egyptians (in the midst of horrific soccer riots) or 1200 Syrians (although the regime in Damascus is doing its best to improve its rankings by steadily decreasing the number of living Syrians).
News & Media
Only foreigners call him Cardoso.The Economist's style is very rigid: name in full on first citation and title plus surname thereafter.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always provide a "citation" when using someone else's ideas or words to avoid plagiarism and give proper credit.
Common error
Ensure all "citations" include sufficient information (author, date, publication) so readers can easily find the original source.
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The word "citation" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of citing a source, the source itself, or a formal commendation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in these contexts. Examples show its use in academic, legal, and general writing.
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Formal & Business
30%
Science
25%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "citation" is a versatile noun used to describe referencing sources, issuing formal notices, or bestowing commendations. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and broad applicability of this word. Its frequency is very common, especially in news, business, and academic contexts. Remember to provide complete "citations" to ensure credibility and avoid plagiarism. The alternatives "reference", "quote", and "commendation" offer similar meanings depending on the specific context you want to convey.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
reference
This term generally indicates a source of information or authority used to support a statement or claim, similar to a "citation".
cite
This is the verb form of "citation", indicating the action of referencing a source.
quote
This refers to the exact words taken from a source, functioning as a direct form of "citation".
quotation
Similar to "quote", this noun denotes the act or instance of quoting someone or something.
source
This term broadly refers to the origin of information, often requiring a "citation" to ensure credibility.
acknowledgment
This term signifies recognition of a source, often used when giving credit to someone's work.
credit
This term signifies giving recognition or attribution to a source or contributor.
mention
This indicates a brief reference to something or someone, which can be a lighter form of "citation".
commendation
This relates to a formal recognition or praise, which is a specific context of "citation" for achievements.
official notice
This refers to a formal communication, mirroring the "citation" context of summons or legal notifications.
FAQs
How do I use "citation" in a sentence?
What's the difference between "citation" and "reference"?
"Citation" typically refers to a specific instance of acknowledging a source within the text, while "reference" is a broader term referring to the source itself or a list of sources. You include a "citation" in your text and then list the full "reference" in your bibliography.
What are some synonyms for "citation"?
Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "reference", "quote", "quotation", "acknowledgment", or "commendation".
What does a complete "citation" include?
A complete "citation" usually includes the author's name, the title of the work, the publication date, and the page number (if applicable). The exact format may vary depending on the "citation style" (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago).
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested