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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Cite and Quote?

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The main difference between "cite" and "quote" lies in how the information from a source is used in writing or speech:

  • Cite: When you cite a source, you refer to the ideas, theories, principles, or opinions of the author in your own words. You do not need to use quotation marks when citing a source, as you are rephrasing or summarizing the information.
  • Quote: When you quote a source, you reproduce the exact words of the author verbatim. Quotation marks are used to indicate that the words are directly taken from the source.

In summary:

  • Citing involves using the ideas or theories of a source in your own words, without the need for quotation marks.
  • Quoting involves repeating the exact words of a source, using quotation marks to indicate the words are directly taken from the source.

It is important not to confuse the two terms or use them interchangeably, as doing so may lead to confusion for the reader or listener.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Cite and Quote?
  • Comparative Table: Cite vs Quote

    • Comparative Table: Cite vs Quote

    The difference between citing and quoting lies in how you reference the source's information within your text. Here's a table summarizing the differences:

    Aspect Citing Quoting
    Definition Citing involves referencing a source indirectly, using information from the source without directly quoting the original text. Quoting involves directly citing the original text in a source, using the exact words of the author.
    Purpose Citings are used to give credit to the original source by acknowledging the information was taken from the source. Quotations are used to provide direct evidence for a point being made or to highlight specific words or phrases.
    In-text formatting Citings are typically formatted as (Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p. page number) for citations from books or articles. Quotations are usually introduced with a lead-in phrase and are followed by a page number (if applicable) to indicate where theoriginal words can be found.
    Appearance The text may appear in parentheses or as part of the sentence, depending on the citation style. The quoted text appears exactly as it does in the original source, with any necessary formatting or punctuation.

    Citing and quoting are both methods of referencing a source's information, but they serve different purposes and are formatted differently within the text. Citing is more about acknowledging the source's work, while quoting is about using the exact words of the author to support or illustrate a point.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.