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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
it should be cited
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it should be cited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need to reference a source or provide attribution for information or ideas that are not your own. Example: "In academic writing, any information that is not common knowledge should be cited; it should be cited to give credit to the original author."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Academia
News & Media
Alternative expressions(13)
it needs to be acknowledged
it is important to reference
it must be acknowledged
it should be referred
it should be indicated
it should be demonstrated
it should be characterized
it should be mentioned
it should be incorporated
it should be illustrated
it should be described
it should be suggested
it should be reiterated
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
7 human-written examples
Today he says it should be cited as a model, because officials have sought and followed consultants' advice on fulfilling the fair-housing obligation as the population continues to grow.
News & Media
When this section is referred to formally in official documents, such as legal briefs, it should be cited as "48 CFR 2001.104-2(c)." Any section of the NRCAR may be formally identified by the section number, e.g., "NRCAR 2001.104-2". In the NRCAR, any reference to the FAR will be indicated by "FAR" followed by the section number, for example FAR 1-104.
Academia
Or, if it has, it should be cited.
Science
Figure 3 and 4 are not cited in the text and it should be cited.
Science
11) P28: ref. 158 also concludes that alternative splicing has emerged early in eukaryotic evolution, so it should be cited along with ref. 166 and not with 28.
Science
Most of the time, this means that when a published dataset contributes to a paper, it should be cited formally in the reference list.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
At the beginning of the 21st century, a more general rationale for philosophy of religion should be cited: it can enhance cross-cultural dialogue.
Science
Also note: If the book contains chapters written by different authors, it may be an anthology, and so should be cited differently.
Academia
Major sources should be cited.
Academia
Information on plates and figures should be cited only if not included in the pagination.
Published images of materials in this collection should be cited as follows: Photographs of Asia Minor, #4776.
Academia
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using information from a source, always verify that "it should be cited" to avoid plagiarism and give proper credit to the original author. Clear citation practices enhance the credibility of your work.
Common error
Be careful not to assume everything is common knowledge. If in doubt, "it should be cited". Over-citing is better than under-citing to maintain academic integrity.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it should be cited" functions as a recommendation or requirement to provide attribution to a source. As Ludwig AI says, it highlights the importance of giving credit and avoiding plagiarism. It's used to guide proper referencing practices.
Frequent in
Science
57%
Academia
29%
News & Media
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "it should be cited" serves as a crucial reminder in academic, scientific, and professional writing to give credit where it's due. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, particularly when referencing sources. Given its prevalence in Science and Academia, using "it should be cited" correctly enhances the credibility of your work. Remember to use it whenever you're unsure if information constitutes common knowledge, and always err on the side of over-citing rather than under-citing to avoid plagiarism. Alternative phrases such as "it must be referenced" or "credit should be given" can add nuance depending on the context.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it ought to be referenced
Replaces "should" with "ought to", conveying a similar sense of obligation or advisability.
it needs to be acknowledged
Shifts the focus to the act of acknowledging the source rather than formally citing it.
it must be referenced
Uses "must" to indicate a stronger requirement for referencing.
it is important to reference
Emphasizes the importance of citing the source, rather than directly prescribing it.
credit should be given
Focuses on giving credit to the original source.
attribution is required
Highlights the necessity of providing proper attribution.
the source should be named
Emphasizes explicitly naming the original source.
a citation is necessary
Highlights the need for a formal citation.
reference it appropriately
Focuses on citing a specific thing in an appropriate way.
include a reference
Highlights the reference inclusion.
FAQs
How do I determine if "it should be cited"?
Generally, if the information is not widely known or comes from a specific source, "it should be cited". This includes direct quotes, paraphrased ideas, and data from studies.
What are alternatives to "it should be cited"?
You can use phrases like "it must be referenced", "credit should be given", or "attribution is required" depending on the context.
What happens if something that "it should be cited" is not?
Failing to cite sources can lead to accusations of plagiarism, which can have serious consequences in academic, professional, and legal settings.
When is it not necessary to cite a source?
It is generally not necessary to cite sources for common knowledge, which refers to facts that are widely known and easily verifiable, or for your own original ideas and research. However, when in doubt, "it should be cited".
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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
83%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested