let me quote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me quote" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a quote from someone else. For example, "Let me quote Mahatma Gandhi: 'Be the change that you wish to see in the world.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let me quote.

The Guardian

Let me quote from his reminiscence.

The New York Times

For readers who don't remember April Ashley, let me quote from her website.

Independent

Jaden: "Willow just dropped a song, let me quote the lyrics: "I do not care what people say".

Independent

Let me quote another Chinese proverb -- we have too many proverbs in China.

The New York Times

To begin at the beginning, let me quote from the preamble to the code.

The Guardian - Books

Let me quote Kozinski at length: Saints may always tell the truth, but for mortals living means lying.

The New Yorker

Let me quote you the reductio ad absurdum of this myth, which dates back to 1979: "The West.

The Guardian - Books

"Let me quote Benito Mussolini, whose journals I have recently been reading," Mr. Berlusconi, left, said at a news conference in Paris on Thursday.

The New York Times

Here's Kyl, according to an unofficial transcript of the hearing: "Let me quote George Kennan who wrote this a long time ago but I think it applies today.

The New Yorker

Let me quote in full a note that Joshua left for Athol, which sets off the action in the play: "I was here today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let me quote" to clearly signal that you are about to introduce direct textual evidence, enhancing the credibility of your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "let me quote" in very informal settings like casual conversations or text messages; simpler phrases like "as someone said" or no introduction at all are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me quote" functions as an introductory expression used to signal the forthcoming presentation of direct textual evidence. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it prefaces a quotation intended to support an argument or provide context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let me quote" is a versatile phrase used to introduce direct quotations in writing. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider slightly more formal options like "allow me to quote" for academic or highly formal settings. The key is to use the phrase consciously to enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing. Remember to reserve it for occasions where you truly want to highlight the exact wording of a source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow me to quote

Formality increases; "allow" suggests a more courteous or formal tone than "let".

to quote

More concise; lacks the introductory "let me" but serves the same purpose.

permit me to cite

"Permit" adds an even greater degree of formality; "cite" is more academic than "quote".

in the words of

Highlights the original speaker's phrasing; slightly more emphatic.

i'd like to reference

Slightly less direct; "reference" broadens the scope beyond direct quotes.

i want to mention

Less formal and can introduce a general point rather than a specific quote.

as someone said

Attributing the quote to an unspecified person; less formal.

i recall

Implies quoting from memory rather than a written source.

by way of illustration

Focuses on providing an example, which may or may not be a direct quote.

to paraphrase

Indicates that the following content will be a summary rather than a direct quote.

FAQs

How can I use "let me quote" in a sentence?

Use "let me quote" to introduce a direct quotation from a source, like this: "Let me quote Albert Einstein: 'The important thing is not to stop questioning.'"

What are some alternatives to "let me quote"?

You can use alternatives such as "allow me to quote", "to quote", or "in the words of".

Is "let me quote" formal or informal?

"Let me quote" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for most writing contexts but may feel out of place in very casual conversations.

When should I use "let me quote" versus a simple citation?

Use "let me quote" when you want to emphasize the specific wording of the original source. For general references, a standard citation might suffice.