i quote

USAGE SUMMARY

"I quote" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to signal the start of a quotation, or to indicate that you are going to repeat what another person said. For example: "I don't think I can make it," he said. "I quote, 'I have too much to do.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

May I quote myself?

The New Yorker

I quote: Pusillanimous.

The New Yorker

"Can I quote them?

The New York Times

I quote: "Teens!

The Guardian - Sport

I quote Spurr here.

The Guardian

" 'What did you call me?' " I quote.

The New Yorker

"I don't talk, I quote.

The Guardian - Arts

I quote chunks of it to him.

The Guardian

I quote from its impressive words.

The Guardian - Opinion

She laughs as I quote this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The performers I quote were writers too.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I quote" to clearly signal that you are about to present someone else's exact words, ensuring clarity and avoiding unintentional plagiarism.

Common error

Ensure you accurately attribute the quote to its original source. Failing to do so can undermine your credibility and distort the original meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I quote" functions as a discourse marker to signal the introduction of a direct quotation. It prefaces someone else's exact words. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English. The examples display the expression in varied media outlets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I quote" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce direct quotations, primarily found in news and media, as well as scientific writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and effective for clearly signaling the use of someone else's exact words. It's essential to use this phrase accurately to attribute quotes correctly and avoid plagiarism. Remember to consider the level of formality required by the context when choosing alternatives, but "I quote" is generally appropriate for neutral to professional settings. It’s important to attribute it’s correct authorship as well. As shown by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is used across numerous reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quoting

Shorter, more direct way to indicate a quotation is following.

to quote

More formal way of introducing a quotation.

in the words of

Emphasizes the source of the quote.

as stated by

Formal way to attribute information.

as someone said

Attributing a quotation to someone, but less precise.

here's a quote

Informing your audience that you are now going to quote a source.

let me quote

Offering a source to back up a statement or argument.

according to

Introducing information attributed to a source.

if I may quote

Polite way of asking permission or excusing yourself for quoting someone or something.

to paraphrase

Indicates an indirect quotation or summary.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "I quote" in a sentence?

Use "I quote" to introduce a direct quotation, making it clear you're using someone else's exact words. For example, "The author writes, and "I quote", 'The journey was arduous but rewarding.'

What are some alternatives to "I quote" for introducing a quotation?

You can use alternatives such as "to quote", "in the words of", or "as stated by" to introduce a direct quotation, depending on the level of formality required.

Is it always necessary to use "I quote" when presenting someone else's words?

While not always necessary, using "I quote" adds clarity and signals to the reader that you are presenting a direct quotation. If paraphrasing, avoid using "I quote" and instead use phrases like "according to" or "as reported by".

What is the difference between paraphrasing and using "I quote"?

Paraphrasing involves restating someone else's ideas in your own words, while using "I quote" means presenting their exact words verbatim. Always use quotation marks when you "I quote" someone.