rough quotation

USAGE SUMMARY

"rough quotation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a quote that is not completely exact, or to paraphrase what someone said without exact words. For example, "Alison said she was feeling 'pretty overwhelmed' by the situation," can be referred to as a rough quotation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rees is similarly guided by an etched-in-rough quotation from another Jones, no relation.

The New York Times - Sports

Two quoting approaches which include the rough quotation based on weight and precise quotation based on build-time were proposed to determine the price quotation for SL parts.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

To change them is the rough cinematic equivalent of a newspaper's inventing quotations on the grounds that, even if nobody actually made the quoted statement, it represents what people were thinking or feeling at the time.

The New York Times

If, as the saying goes, journalism is a rough draft of history, then this book of paraphrased quotations is a very, very rough draft of a rough draft.

The New York Times - Books

In retrospect much of the highly mannered art that arose from the 1980s now looks rough and tumble, all ragged and punk-edged with out-of-context quotations of de rigueur philosophers.

The Guardian - Arts

That calls to mind a 41-year-old quotation from the two-time British Open champion Lee Trevino, when he was asked about the rough at the 1971 event at Royal Birkdale.

The New York Times - Sports

Zousmer, meanwhile, begins to "rough" the copy of the news report on his typewriter and Aaron starts searching for some quotations appropriate to the subject of the endpiece.

The New Yorker

Fred Shapiro of the Yale Dictionary of Quotations provides a citation from the July 1876 Atlantic Monthly: "The whole nearer East looks dim and rough after the splendor and sheen of Japan".

The New York Times - Magazine

(Possibly apocryphal quotation).

The New York Times - Arts

I knew the quotation.

The New Yorker

Springsteen in quotation marks?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using a "rough quotation", clearly indicate that the words are not the exact words of the original speaker or writer. This avoids misrepresenting the source's actual statement.

Common error

A common mistake is presenting a "rough quotation" as a direct quote without clarifying that it's a paraphrase. Always signal to your reader that you're providing an approximate version of the original statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough quotation" functions as a descriptor, specifying the nature of a quotation. It indicates that the quotation is not verbatim but rather an approximation or paraphrase of the original statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough quotation" signifies an approximate or paraphrased representation of an original statement. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While examples are limited, the phrase finds relevance across contexts such as news, science, and formal writing. It is important to clearly indicate when a quotation is "rough" to avoid misrepresenting the source's actual words and to ensure accuracy in reporting. Related terms include "approximate quote" and "paraphrased quotation", offering alternative ways to express the concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate quote

Focuses on the inexactness of the quotation.

paraphrased quotation

Highlights that the quotation is reworded.

inexact quotation

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the quote.

imprecise quote

Highlights the lack of strict accuracy in the quotation.

loose quote

Indicates a less strict interpretation of the original words.

close paraphrase

Suggests the quotation is nearly verbatim, but still altered.

informal citation

Refers to a less formal way of attributing information.

general attribution

Highlights the broad crediting of a source.

summary quotation

Implies a brief overview of someone's statement.

simplified quote

Indicates the quotation is made more basic or easier to understand.

FAQs

What does "rough quotation" mean?

A "rough quotation" refers to a paraphrase or an inexact citation of someone's words, differing from a direct quotation which uses the speaker's exact language.

How do I indicate I'm using a "rough quotation" in my writing?

Introduce it by stating that you are paraphrasing or summarizing the original source, rather than providing a direct "exact quote".

Is it acceptable to use a "rough quotation" in academic writing?

Yes, it is acceptable, particularly when summarizing or explaining complex ideas, but ensure you attribute the idea to its original source. Avoid presenting a "rough quotation" as an "accurate quote".

What are some alternatives to using the term "rough quotation"?

You can use alternatives such as "approximate quote", "paraphrased quotation", or "inexact quotation" depending on the specific context.