quote

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "quote" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a shortened version of a statement that someone has said or written. For example, "He famously said, 'The only way to do great work is to love what you do,' a quote that has inspired many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This article was amended on 16 April 2015 to correct a quote from Nick Clegg.

The Guardian

Yet – to quote Lanier again – "people are the only sources or destinations of information, or indeed of any meaning to the machine at all".

The Guardian - Opinion

No matter how much science you can quote, you're never going to get people to think you are making sense in that context if you look like an MMR-shy mum".

The Guardian

To quote just one: "So here is a specific and valuable advance in knowledge that could only have been attained by experimentation on animals that closely resemble us; experiments which are, as far as we can tell, almost painless".

The Guardian

To quote one of our users: "Tomorrow I celebrate Valentine's Day.

The Guardian - Opinion

The saving is valid on annual and single trip policies – quote JAN20 to claim your discount.

The Guardian - Money

So now, the only way to smartify those quotes… is to manually search for a single or double quote and then retype it.

The Guardian - Tech

But a functionality that used to exist – where you could search and replace single and double quotes and the replaced quote would be a smart quote – has been removed.

The Guardian - Tech

Today Cameron adopted a much less hysterical approach and this, plus the dreary predictability of Cameron's Unite jibes, was enough to give Miliband the edge, although it was not very clear cut and Miliband's Pickles quote and Cameron's Reynolds/Benn/Betts quote more or less cancelled each other out.

The Guardian

Or, to quote Carlyle, one of the "brainworkers" in the picture, "In Idleness alone is there perpetual despair".

The Guardian - Arts

This piece was amended on 28 November to remove a defining moment quote at the request of the contributor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using a "quote", ensure it accurately reflects the original source's intent and context to avoid misrepresentation. Always cite the source to give proper credit.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "quotes" without providing your own analysis or interpretation. Use them strategically to support your arguments, but always maintain your own voice and perspective.

Linguistic Context

The word "quote" functions primarily as a noun referring to a passage or statement taken from a larger work, or as a verb meaning to repeat or cite someone's words. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English, with examples illustrating its use in attributing statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "quote" is a versatile word functioning as both a noun and a verb, primarily used to attribute information or emphasize a particular statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While "quotation" is a more formal alternative, "quote" is common in news and media, business, and general contexts. When using "quote", ensure accuracy and provide proper citation to avoid misrepresentation. Remember to balance "quotes" with your own analysis to maintain a clear voice in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Quotation

Refers to the exact words used by someone, similar to a "quote", but can also refer to a passage extracted from a larger text.

Excerpt

Denotes a portion extracted from a text, similar to using a "quote", but usually implies a longer selection.

Citation

Emphasizes the act of giving credit to the original source, similar to providing a "quote" to acknowledge authorship.

Passage

Refers to a segment of text used for analysis or reference, akin to using a "quote" to highlight a specific portion.

To cite

Implies referencing a source, similar to providing a "quote" but focusing on the act of referencing.

To mention

Refers to a brief reference, less formal than a full "quote", but still acknowledging the source.

To reference

Similar to "cite", but can also imply alluding to an idea without a direct "quote".

To allude to

Implies making an indirect reference, which may not involve a direct "quote" but hints at the original source.

Inverted commas

Another term for quotation marks, which are used to indicate a "quote".

Quotation marks

Symbols used to enclose a "quote" in writing.

FAQs

How to use "quote" in a sentence?

You can use "quote" as a noun, referring to a statement someone has said or written (e.g., "That's a famous quote"), or as a verb, meaning to repeat someone's words (e.g., "He quoted Shakespeare").

What can I say instead of "quote"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "quotation", "excerpt", or "citation".

Which is correct, "quote" or "quotation"?

"Quote" is an informal abbreviation of "quotation". While "quotation" is more formal, "quote" is widely accepted in modern usage.

How do I properly format a direct quote?

Enclose the exact words of the speaker or writer in quotation marks (" ") and cite the source to give credit to the original author.