this is a quotation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is a quotation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that the following text is a direct quote from another source. Example: "As the author stated, 'this is a quotation' to clarify the source of the information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This is a quotation from Jean-Claude Juncker, himself one of the last pro-European dinosaurs.

The Economist

This is a quotation from the novelist James Jones ("From Here to Eternity").

The New York Times - Books

About the closest Mr. Chafets gets to this is a quotation from Mr. Ailes himself explaining the anecdote about punching a hole in a control room wall: "It was just a drywall, and luckily I didn't hit any beams.

The New York Times - Books

"This is a quotation from [Jackie Robinson's] memoir that he published in 1972, which was very, very different from his earlier memoirs and what he said in those, which were very sort of P.R. versions of his experiences".

The New Yorker

And in fact, I don't actually think this is a quotation at all: what I mean is that the effect of hearing this music at this point in the symphony is so utterly removed from the original function, expression, and associations of Rossini's tune that it becomes, in fact, a totally different object.

The Guardian - Music

This is a quotation from an interview with a manager holding one of the highest executive positions in the Swedish healthcare system.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Accompanying this image is a quotation from Nietzsche's "Ecce Homo".

The New York Times - Arts

"I might say this passage should be slangy, or this colloquial; this passage has biblical overtones or this is a distilled quotation from some poet," she explained.

The New York Times - Books

The State Election Commission reviewed the names, and found the following (this is a direct quotation from their site) The attorney general has only released six names; there are many more.

The New York Times

There was not an intention within the organization to fund a new position, and it seemed like leadership valued my work, yet this is a direct quotation from my supervisor at the time.

Huffington Post

Underneath is a quotation from Justice Frankfurter, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is a quotation" to clearly mark borrowed content and avoid accidental plagiarism. Always cite the source afterwards.

Common error

Avoid using "this is a quotation" when the content is a paraphrase or summary. Reserve this phrase for exact reproductions of another's words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is a quotation" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals that the subsequent words are directly taken from another source. Ludwig's examples clearly illustrate its use to distinguish borrowed content.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is a quotation" is a useful phrase for introducing direct quotations and maintaining clarity in writing. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in news, academic writing and on Wiki, but less frequently on Formal & Business. This phrase is generally grammatically correct and serves to signal that the following words are borrowed from another source. Be careful to not use it when a paraphrase follows, and Ludwig AI confirms the common usage of the expression. Ensure the original source is cited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is a quote

Replaces "quotation" with the shorter and more informal "quote".

the following is a quotation

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating that what follows is a quotation.

this is taken from

Indicates the source from which the statement is derived.

the source states

Highlights the origin and authority of the quotation.

as stated in

Emphasizes that the quotation comes from a specific document or source.

in the words of

Attributes the quotation directly to the speaker or author.

to quote

A concise way to introduce a direct quotation.

this excerpt is from

Specifies that only part of the original source is used.

i quote

Indicates the speaker is about to read out a quotation directly.

this passage reads

Focuses on the text itself, presenting it as evidence.

FAQs

When should I use "this is a quotation"?

Use "this is a quotation" to explicitly introduce a direct quote from a source. It helps distinguish the borrowed content from your own writing, as Ludwig AI suggest.

What are some alternatives to "this is a quotation"?

Alternatives include "this is a quote", "the following is a quotation", or "as stated in", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it necessary to use quotation marks after stating "this is a quotation"?

Yes, quotation marks are essential to enclose the direct quote that follows "this is a quotation". This ensures that the borrowed content is clearly marked.

How can I cite the source after using "this is a quotation"?

Include a citation immediately after the quotation, using a standard citation format (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago). This gives credit to the original source and allows readers to verify the information.