this is an excerpt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is an excerpt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when introducing a portion of a text that has been selected from a larger work. Example: "This is an excerpt from the author's latest novel." Alternative expressions include "this is a passage," "this is a section," or "this is a fragment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an excerpt from a larger book.

The New Yorker

This is an excerpt from an essay at nytimes.com/campaignstops.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from Room for Debate.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from There Will Be Blood.

The Guardian

This is an excerpt from his recent commencement speech.

Stanford University

This is an excerpt from The Stone, a series on philosophy.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from Borderlines, a series at nytimes.com/opinionator.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from Townies, a series on New York City, at nytimes.com/opinionator.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from Fixes, a series at nytimes.com/opinionator.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from The Stone, an online series at nytimes.com/opinionator.

The New York Times

This is an excerpt from Campaign Stops, a blog at nytimes.com/opinion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is an excerpt" to clearly signal that you are presenting a part of a larger work, which helps manage reader expectations.

Common error

Avoid using too many excerpts in a single piece of writing without providing sufficient analysis or context. Over-reliance on excerpts can make your work feel disjointed and lacking in original thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is an excerpt" functions as an introductory phrase. It serves to signal to the reader that the following text is a selected portion of a larger work. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is an excerpt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used introductory phrase that signals to the reader that the following text is a selected portion of a larger work. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions to provide context and manage expectations. Its usage spans across various domains, primarily in news and media, as well as academia. While it maintains a neutral formality, it's crucial to provide sufficient context when employing excerpts to maintain clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is a selection

Replaces 'excerpt' with 'selection', implying a deliberate choice.

the following is an excerpt

Adds 'following' for emphasis and anticipation.

this is a passage

Uses 'passage' as a more general term for a section of text.

this is a section

Uses 'section' to indicate a defined part of a larger work.

this is taken from

Indicates the origin of the text.

the extract below

More concise and places emphasis on what follows.

here's a segment from

Uses 'segment' and 'here's' for a slightly more informal tone.

quoted below is an excerpt

Highlights the quotation aspect of the excerpt.

part of this article

Indicates that only a portion of an article is presented.

a piece of text

Replaces "excerpt" with a more generic term "piece of text".

FAQs

How can I use "this is an excerpt" in a sentence?

You can use "this is an excerpt" to introduce a portion of a text taken from a larger source, such as a book or article. For example, "This is an excerpt from the author's new biography."

What are some alternatives to saying "this is an excerpt"?

You can use alternatives like "this is a selection", "the following is an excerpt", or "this is a passage" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "this is an excerpt" or "this is an extract"?

Both "excerpt" and "extract" are similar and often interchangeable, but "this is an excerpt" is generally preferred in American English, while "extract" is more common in British English.

When should I use "this is an excerpt" in my writing?

Use "this is an excerpt" when you want to clearly indicate that the text you are presenting is only a portion of a larger, original work. This helps to avoid any confusion about the completeness or original source of the information.