supra

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "supra" is a valid and usable word in written English.
The term "supra" is typically used before a legal citation to indicate that the referenced material appears higher up in a legal document or case. For example, "As stated supra, this case cannot be brought in a court of law".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

See note 19 supra.

SEP

After René Antoine Gauthier identified in the master Guillaume Arnauld the real author of the Lectura supra logicam veterem attributed to Giles of Rome (Tabarroni 1988), interest in logical works focused mainly on his Commentaries on the Sophistici Elenchi and on Posterior Analytics.

SEP

See supra, notes 4 and 5. 18. Emmanuel Levinas, "The Name of a Dog, or Natural Rights," in Difficult Freedom : Essays on Judaism, trans., Seán Hand (Baltimore, MD.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1990 , 1997, p. 153.

SEP

We have read above that physics has not only sensible objects (supra, p. 13), but also spiritual ones which allows us to introduce Avempace's book on the Soul.

SEP

Alternatively, the predicationalist (See §4 supra)., who emphasizes the special relation between a Form and its essence, maintains that in knowing Equality, one knows what it is, that is, one knows its essence.

SEP

(On the question of hypotheses and the relation of this passage to the hypothetical method of the Phaedo, see §15 supra).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There was an impulse towards supra-nationalism in the shape of membership in the European Union, where countries that had fought each other for centuries – notably France and Germany – agreed to cooperate in the new world of superpower blocs.

The Guardian

The commission and the parliament are supra-national institutions that seek to identify and promote pan-European policies.

The Economist

Many Britons feel they have ended up in a power hungry, supra-governmental and economically moribund arrangement, which they never voted to join, and would not have done.

The Economist

And that created an opening for "faith-based organisations" of every kind, from religious charities and lobbies to churches to supra-national bodies like the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC).

The Economist

This begs the thought that some supra-literary device is at hand: Mr Murakami explains his passion for running, preferably while listening to a "Lovin' Spoonful" album, as a Zen-inspired effort to "acquire a void".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supra" primarily in legal or academic writing to refer to a citation or point made earlier in the text. Ensure clarity by providing specific note or section numbers.

Common error

Avoid using "supra" in informal or general writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "above" or "mentioned earlier" to maintain clarity and avoid sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "supra" functions primarily as an adverb in academic and legal writing, used to provide a shorthand reference to a previously cited source. According to Ludwig, it indicates that the information or citation can be found earlier in the text. It can also function as a noun, referring to a traditional Georgian feast.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supra" serves as a valuable tool in formal writing, primarily within academic and legal spheres, to streamline citations and references. Ludwig highlights its function as an adverb that directs readers to previously mentioned sources, avoiding redundancy. While grammatically sound and commonly used, it is crucial to reserve "supra" for appropriate contexts, avoiding its use in informal settings where simpler alternatives are preferable. Remember to always provide a note number when using "supra" to ensure clarity and ease of reference for your audience. By using this word effectively, writers can demonstrate precision and sophistication in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above

A simpler way to indicate something located in the upper portion of the text.

aforementioned

Replaces "supra" by using a more common adjective to indicate something previously mentioned.

above-mentioned

Similar to "aforementioned", this phrase explicitly indicates something mentioned earlier in the text.

foregoing

Another synonym for "aforementioned", indicating something that precedes in the text.

previously stated

This phrase uses a verb to emphasize that something was stated earlier.

as indicated above

More verbose, this phrase explicitly directs the reader to a prior section.

the above

A shortened version of "as indicated above", implying previous content.

earlier reference

This noun phrase points to a prior reference without repeating the information.

superior to

Indicates something of higher quality or status, shifting the context from reference to comparison.

in a higher position

Describes a literal or figurative higher placement, differing from direct reference.

FAQs

What does "supra" mean in legal writing?

In legal contexts, "supra" is an adverb used to refer to a source or point that has been previously cited or mentioned earlier in the same document. It's a shorthand way to avoid repeating full citations.

When should I use "supra" instead of "ibid"?

"Supra" refers to a source cited earlier but not immediately preceding, while "ibid" refers to the immediately preceding source. If the citation is not directly before, use "supra" with a note number; otherwise, use "ibid".

Are there alternatives to "supra" that are less formal?

Yes, in less formal writing, you can use phrases like "as mentioned above", "previously stated", or simply "above" to refer to earlier points. These alternatives are generally clearer for a broader audience.

How do I properly format a citation using "supra"?

When using "supra", include the note number where the full citation can be found (e.g., See note 19 "supra"). This helps readers easily locate the original source. Do not include page numbers with "supra".