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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it cited that
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it cited that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "it stated that" or "it noted that." Example: "The report it cited that the new policy would improve efficiency."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
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
2 human-written examples
In July, after the commission issued its National Broadband Plan, it cited that report's finding that roughly 14 million Americans do not have broadband Internet service as evidence that broadband is not being adequately deployed.
News & Media
It cited that "The Pink Panther" torrent file has been downloaded from The Pirate Bay almost 50,000 times.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
In a statistics dump this morning, it cites that a SimpleReach study that says 62% of referral traffic to media sites from social networks comes from Facebook.
News & Media
But when AI2 submitted the Skill Search engine to the Alexa platform, Amazon rejected it, citing that "We don't allow skills that recommend skills to customers at this time.
News & Media
For example, it cites that Rdio has seen a "30x increase in new user registrations from Facebook" In reality, the app itself now has grown by just 200 users to reach a tiny 4,000 daily Facebook-logged in users.
News & Media
She took the phone back to the Apple Store and the geniuses refused to repair it, citing that the phone is not designed to withstand temperatures below freezing or above 35 degrees Celsius.
News & Media
In addition, it cites that Chinese female CEO's make up 19 percent of women in management jobs making it the second highest worldwide after Thailand.
Wiki
Entertainment Weekly's Margaret Lyons said that despite this episode not being "one of the show's most sophisticated [ones]" she still enjoyed it, citing that it had "some pretty fantastic lines – and some really cute moments between Liz and Jack".
Wiki
It cites that about 5% of childhood cancer; 10% of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and neurodevelopmental deficiencies; and 30% of childhood asthma are likely to be attributable to environmental exposures.
News & Media
Mr. Carney cited that argument on Monday.
News & Media
It cited targets that were "part of Iran's military entrenchment in Syria".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "it cited that". Instead, use more grammatically correct alternatives such as "it stated that", "it noted that", or "it mentioned that". This ensures clarity and adheres to standard English usage.
Common error
The verb "cite" typically takes a direct object (e.g., "it cited a study"). When introducing a clause, use verbs like "state", "note", or "mention" instead of "cite".
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it cited that" functions as an introductory phrase attempting to attribute information to a source. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Correct alternatives are required for proper usage.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Wiki
33%
Science
34%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the intention behind the phrase "it cited that" is to attribute information to a source, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English usage requires alternatives such as "it stated that", "it noted that", or "it mentioned that". Despite appearing in various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal writing. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, opt for the suggested alternatives.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it mentioned that
Replaces "cited" with a more general term for bringing something to attention.
it noted that
Substitutes "cited" with a similar term indicating something was observed and recorded.
it stated that
Uses "stated" to convey a formal declaration or announcement.
it pointed out that
Emphasizes the act of drawing attention to a specific fact or detail.
it indicated that
Employs "indicated" to suggest that something was shown or suggested, though not explicitly stated.
it reported that
Uses "reported" to signify the presentation of information or findings.
it revealed that
Implies the disclosure of something previously unknown or concealed.
it claimed that
Indicates an assertion of something as a fact, often implying a lack of conclusive proof.
it argued that
Conveys the presentation of a reasoned case or viewpoint.
it suggested that
Proposes a possibility or course of action, implying a degree of uncertainty.
FAQs
What are some correct ways to use the verb "cite"?
You can use "cite" with a direct object, such as "It cited a study" or "It cited several examples". Avoid using "cite" directly followed by "that"; instead, use verbs like "mentioned that", "stated that", or "noted that".
What can I say instead of "it cited that"?
More appropriate alternatives include "it "mentioned that"", "it "stated that"", "it "indicated that"", or "it "pointed out that"". These options are grammatically correct and maintain clarity.
Is "it cited that" grammatically correct?
No, "it cited that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "cite" generally requires a direct object. Using ""stated that"" or ""mentioned that"" is a more accurate and acceptable construction.
How does the usage of "cite" differ from "state" or "mention"?
"Cite" typically introduces a specific source or example, while "state" and "mention" are broader and can introduce general information. For example, "It cited a study by Smith" is correct, but "It "stated that" the policy was effective" is preferable to "It cited that the policy was effective".
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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
88%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested