it was cited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was cited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a source or reference that has been mentioned or quoted in a text or discussion. Example: "In the research paper, it was cited that previous studies support this theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was cited in 2007 for violations on one of its houses, but didn't show up in court.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was cited by 1,000 subsequent scientific papers.

The New York Times - Health

It was cited by Adair Turner, the erstwhile chairman of Britain's erstwhile Financial Services Authority.

The Economist

So much so that it was cited as the cause in 35 divorce cases last year.

The Guardian - Sport

It was cited several times this past year for nuisance issues.

The Washington Post

It was cited as an egregious example of gang culture in lawless Britain.

The Guardian

It was cited in at least one radio advertisement as a reason to buy American cars.

The New York Times

It was cited as the only intact block of early-20th-century buildings in downtown Cleveland.

The New York Times

It was cited by the sponsors of legislation, currently before Congress, exempting food and medicine from the embargo.

The New Yorker

This last provision produced so many difficulties that it was cited in an American textbook on copyright law.

The New Yorker

Admittedly, the 2013 gala was punk-themed, but it was cited a dubious ensemble by fashion critics nonetheless.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was cited", ensure the source you are referring to is clearly identifiable within the context. This provides clarity and strengthens the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was cited" without specifying where the information originated. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your argument. Always provide sufficient detail for verification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was cited" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that something has been referenced or quoted from a particular source. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to introduce information derived from various authoritative sources, affirming its role in academic, journalistic, and formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was cited" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that information has been referenced from a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically employed in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles, academic papers, and business reports, serving the purpose of adding credibility and acknowledging sources. The most frequent contexts are News & Media and Academia. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to clearly identify the cited source. While alternatives like "it was referenced" or "it was mentioned" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was referenced

Replaces 'cited' with 'referenced', maintaining a similar meaning but slightly different nuance.

it was mentioned

Uses 'mentioned' instead of 'cited', indicating a less formal or detailed reference.

it was noted

Substitutes 'cited' with 'noted', suggesting a formal observation or record.

it was quoted

Replaces 'cited' with 'quoted', implying the use of direct wording from a source.

it was pointed out

Uses 'pointed out' instead of 'cited', suggesting an emphasis or highlighting of information.

it was indicated

Substitutes 'cited' with 'indicated', suggesting something was shown or suggested, rather than explicitly mentioned.

it was alluded to

Replaces 'cited' with 'alluded to', implying an indirect reference.

it was attributed

Uses 'attributed' instead of 'cited', focusing on the source or origin of the information.

reference was made to

A more formal alternative emphasizing the act of referencing.

the source mentioned

Focuses on the source doing the mentioning, rather than the act of citing.

FAQs

How can I use "it was cited" in a sentence?

You can use "it was cited" to indicate that information or a statement comes from a specific source. For example, "In the research paper, "it was cited" that previous studies support this theory."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was cited"?

You can use alternatives like "it was referenced", "it was mentioned", or "it was noted" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "it was cited" or "it was stated"?

Whether to use "it was cited" or "it was stated" depends on the context. "It was cited" implies a direct reference to a source, while "it was stated" simply means something was said. If you are referring to a specific source, "it was cited" is more appropriate. Otherwise you can use "it was stated".

What's the difference between "it was cited" and "it was attributed"?

"It was cited" means the information came from a particular source, while "it was attributed" means the information is credited to a particular person or entity. Attribution focuses on authorship, while citation focuses on sourcing.