quotations

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'quotations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to brief extracts of a text that are repeated or copied exactly from the original source. For example: "The professor included several quotations from famous authors in his lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quotations from his books slipped into our daily speech whenever we wanted to appear clever: "Those were days when men were men"; "When a handshake goes beyond the elbow, then it has become something else".

The Guardian - Books

She realised that previous studies had tended to use the same few quotations from typed letters and that scholars had failed to understand the significance of the others.

The Guardian

Therefore it makes sense to talk about "God" in an Islamic context and to use "Allah" in quotations or for literary effect.

The Guardian

Related: Thousands attend funeral for Muslim students shot in Chapel Hill Hicks's Facebook page is filled with quotations attacking religion – all organised religion, not just Islam.

The Guardian

"On the free movement of labour report Home Office spads [special advisers] tried to remove nearly every reference to credible pro-free movement organisations like the EEF [Engineering Employers Federation] and the CBI, while stuffing the document with quotations from Migration Watch.

The Guardian

It's remarkable that no one has sorted this problem out; nearly a century ago, HW Fowler was already calling it "a cause of endless confusion" bias, biased Bible cap up if referring to Old or New Testament, lc in such sentences as "the stylebook is my bible"; the adjective biblical is always lc Bible belt biblical quotations Use a modern translation, not the Authorised Version.

The Guardian

According to a New Yorker review of the Yale Book of Quotations, "Life's a bitch and then you die" was first used in the Washington Post in 1982.

The Guardian - Books

Rubens is not a solitary source of painterly genius, but a gregarious master who never hid his own quotations of earlier art.

The Guardian - Arts

WE HAVE reached C for Capitalism in our A-Z of business quotations.

The Economist

Deng Xiaoping, Chinese Communist Party leader (1904 77) Taken from The Economist's "Book of Business Quotations"« B is for Banks and bankers | D is for Dishonesty »   .

The Economist

"The Post-American World" cites a dazzling array of anecdotes, incidents, quotations and statistics from individuals around the world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quotations" sparingly and strategically to strengthen your argument or add authority, rather than relying too heavily on others' words.

Common error

Avoid simply stringing together "quotations" without providing your own analysis or interpretation. Ensure each quotation is clearly connected to your argument and serves a specific purpose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quotations" is as a noun, typically used in the plural form. It refers to excerpts or passages taken directly from a source and incorporated into another work. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it denotes instances where someone's words are replicated verbatim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "quotations" functions as a noun that signifies extracts from various sources integrated into a text. Its purpose is to provide support, evidence, or authority to a written piece. According to Ludwig, the use of "quotations" is grammatically correct and the term itself is very common. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. It's crucial to cite sources accurately when using "quotations" to prevent plagiarism and reinforce arguments effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extracts

Focuses on excerpts from a larger work, similar to providing quotations.

citations

Emphasizes the act of giving credit to sources, like quotations.

references

Highlights the source of information, related to providing quotations.

excerpts

Indicates a portion taken from a larger text, similar to quotations.

passages

Refers to sections of text, akin to using quotations.

lines

Focuses on specific phrases or sentences, as in quotations.

segments

Highlights sections taken from a source, similar to quotations.

allusions

Emphasizes indirect references, unlike direct quotations.

mentions

Indicates brief references, which can include quotations.

sources

Highlights where information is derived, including quotations.

FAQs

How can I use "quotations" effectively in my writing?

Use "quotations" to support your claims, provide evidence, or offer different perspectives. Always cite your sources and explain how the "quote" relates to your argument.

What's the difference between paraphrasing and using "quotations"?

"Quotations" use the exact words of the original source, while "paraphrasing" involves restating the information in your own words. Use quotations when the original wording is particularly impactful or authoritative, and paraphrase when the content is more important than the specific phrasing.

When is it appropriate to use block "quotations"?

Use block "quotations" for longer passages (typically more than 40 words in APA style). Indent the entire passage and omit quotation marks. Always introduce the "citation" and explain its significance.

What are some alternatives to the word "quotations"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extracts", "citations", or "references" to refer to borrowed material.