quote literally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quote literally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something is being quoted exactly as it was said or written, without any interpretation or exaggeration. Example: "He said he was 'too tired to go out,' and I quote literally, 'I can't even move right now.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I was a rent boy, I suppose," he wrote metaphorically, although the red-top press recycled the quote literally as a splash headline.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Oracle will treat everything inside the double quotes literally as a single name.

Stanford University

A black plank sculpture by the artist John McCracken alludes to the omnipresent monolith in "2001," while the wall-size blow up of the twins from "The Shining" twins conjures Diane Arbus's famous photograph, and a prop table holds art books opened to the pages from which Kubrick quoted, literally, in "Barry Lyndon".

The New York Times

d2e7412e-bc40-400c-b20c-e42201797321 When I decided to quit my job to travel, I did the opposite of what I would recommend: I took the "just go!" quotes literally, read inspirational gobbledygook about how we only live once – and told myself that if I took even an hour to think things through, I'd never end up travelling at all.

BBC

I've seen- to quote Chris Traeger ""literally"" - hundreds of shows.

Huffington Post

Abu Azrael, however, has different words for his enemies: "illa tahin," an abbreviated religious quote that literally translates to "nothing but flour" but means "you will be pulverized".

Los Angeles Times

We know what you're thinking, "Oh good, yet another Guy Ritchie, tough-Brits rip-off for closet anglophiles to quote from literally ad nauseum".

Vice

I'm not quoting them literally, but that was the spirit of what they said.

Independent

Those wishing to see for themselves how Kitaj squares up against artists he admires or quotes may literally do so by taking a walk through the galleries.

The Guardian

Vote for your favorite portrait of Bachmann's quotes taken literally.

Huffington Post

[There are no text quotes, Dowling literally just sent a picture of his penis in a glass red wine].

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quote literally" when you want to emphasize that you are reproducing the exact words of a source, without paraphrasing or interpretation. This adds credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "quote literally" if the intent is to convey the general idea of the quote rather than its precise wording. In such cases, paraphrase and attribute the source without claiming verbatim accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quote literally" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the manner in which a quote is presented. It clarifies that the words are being reproduced exactly as they were originally stated or written, without any changes or interpretations. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "quote literally" is used to emphasize the exactness and accuracy of a quotation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. When you want to clearly state that you are using the precise words from a source, "quote literally" can be used to reinforce the authenticity and reliability of your information. While there aren't a lot of examples, Ludwig confirms, based on its AI analysis, that this phrase is appropriate and well-understood in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quote verbatim

Highlights exact wording, emphasizing precision in reproduction.

repeat word for word

Stresses an exact repetition without changes.

reproduce exactly

Focuses on the accuracy of replication.

cite precisely

Emphasizes accuracy when citing a source.

report faithfully

Indicates a true and accurate representation of what was said or written.

present accurately

Focuses on the truthfulness and precision of the presentation.

give a faithful account

Implies a commitment to accuracy and truth in reporting.

state exactly

Emphasizes the precision and lack of interpretation in the statement.

relay accurately

Highlights the accurate transmission of information.

transcribe exactly

Specifically refers to writing something down in a precise manner.

FAQs

How do you use "quote literally" in a sentence?

You can use "quote literally" to emphasize that you are providing the exact words from a source, for example: "The witness stated, and I "quote literally", "I saw him running from the scene".

What does "quote literally" mean?

To "quote literally" means to reproduce the exact wording of a statement or text, without any alterations or paraphrasing.

What can I say instead of "quote literally"?

Alternatives to "quote literally" include phrases like "quote verbatim", "repeat word for word", or "reproduce exactly", each emphasizing the accuracy of the reproduction.

Is it always necessary to "quote literally"?

No, it is not always necessary. Use "quote literally" when the specific wording is important for emphasis, accuracy, or analysis. Otherwise, paraphrasing may be more appropriate.