to quote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to quote" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to or cite someone else's words or ideas, often in the context of writing or speaking. Example: "In her essay, she chose to quote several famous authors to support her argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone loves to quote Shakespeare.

The New York Times

To quote Captain Comics: "Weak".

The New Yorker

To quote del Potro, would be nice.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer is excruciating to quote.

Independent

To quote Clarence, "Strange, isn't it?

The New York Times

But, to quote the Gershwins, Who cares?

The New York Times

And, to quote Lil Wayne, "plug plug".

The New Yorker

CHIASSON: To quote Chowder: "Paul Muldoon!

The New Yorker

It's not hard to quote Doom.

The New Yorker

Those were, to quote Flashman, the days.

The New Yorker

Passing strange, to quote Shakespeare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to quote" when you want to directly present someone's words or ideas, ensuring accurate attribution and avoiding plagiarism.

Common error

Avoid using "to quote" when you are summarizing or paraphrasing someone's ideas. Instead, use phrases like "according to" or "in their view" to accurately represent the source's perspective without implying a direct quotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to quote" functions as an infinitive phrase introducing a direct quotation or reference. It serves as a verb phrase modifier, indicating the purpose of the subsequent clause is to present someone else's words. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

17%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to quote" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to introduce direct quotations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and academic writing, it serves to ensure accurate attribution and avoid plagiarism. When using "to quote", ensure you are presenting someone's exact words, and consider alternatives like "to cite" or "according to" for nuanced expression. Avoid misusing it for paraphrasing, as this can lead to misattribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Quoting

A gerund form, directly indicating the act of quoting something or someone.

To cite

Replaces "quote" with "cite", emphasizing formal acknowledgment of a source.

In the words of

Emphasizes the original phrasing used by the person being quoted.

To reference

Similar to "cite", but may include indirect references not presented verbatim.

As stated by

Highlights that the information comes directly from the specified source.

As mentioned by

Indicates that a specific piece of information was previously mentioned by a particular person.

According to

Introduces information attributed to a particular source or person.

To paraphrase

Indicates summarizing someone else's ideas in your own words, rather than a direct quotation.

To repeat

Implies a direct repetition of what someone has said, typically verbatim.

Drawing from

Implies using ideas or information from a source, not necessarily a direct quote.

FAQs

How can I use "to quote" in a sentence?

Use "to quote" to introduce a direct quotation from a source. For example, "To quote Shakespeare, 'To be or not to be, that is the question'". The phrase clearly indicates that the following words are directly from the cited source.

What are some alternatives to "to quote"?

You can use alternatives like "to cite", "according to", or "as stated by" depending on the context and formality of your writing.

Is it necessary to always use "to quote" when including someone else's words?

While "to quote" is a clear way to introduce a direct quotation, it's not always necessary. Other methods, such as incorporating the quote seamlessly into your sentence or using a colon, can also be effective. The key is to ensure proper attribution.

What's the difference between "to quote" and paraphrasing?

"To quote" indicates that you are using the exact words of another person. Paraphrasing, on the other hand, means expressing someone else's ideas in your own words. When paraphrasing, you still need to give credit to the original source, but you don't use quotation marks.