What is the Difference Between Quote and Quotation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between "quote" and "quotation" lies in their grammatical functions and the context in which they are used. Here are the key distinctions:
- Quote: This term is primarily used as a verb, meaning to repeat speech or text that was first uttered or written by someone else. In formal English, "quote" is not used as a noun. For example: "She likes to quote Shakespeare".
- Quotation: This term is used as a noun, referring to a passage from text or speech that is repeated by someone other than the original author. In formal English, "quotation" is the correct term to use when discussing a transcription of someone's words. For example: "A quotation from Shakespeare".
However, in everyday speech and informal English, "quote" is often treated as a shortened form of "quotation" and is used interchangeably. While some editors may still be particular about using "quotation" in formal writing, the use of "quote" and "quotation" interchangeably has become prevalent in modern writing.
Comparative Table: Quote vs Quotation
The difference between a quote and a quotation is primarily in their usage. Here is a table summarizing their differences:
| Feature | Quote | Quotation |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A quote is a method of saying the same thing as someone else said or wrote, crediting the original source. It includes the original author's words either written or spoken. It is a specific example of a statement by a person. | A quotation is the act of quoting or the thing said that is repeated. It is a repetition often in the exact words of the original speaker or author. It also includes the original author's words either written or spoken, crediting the original source. However, while quotes are often used to support a position or argument, quotations are often used to convey a story, emotion, or idea that the speaker or writer wants to get across. |
| Usage | In this context, a quote is a specific example of a statement by a person. It is often used to support a position or argument. For instance, a person might use quotes from a famous historical figure to show how their views align with their own. | In this context, a quotation is the act of quoting or the thing said that is repeated. It is a repetition often in the exact words of the original speaker or author. Quotations are often used to convey a story, emotion, or idea that the speaker or writer wants to get across. For instance, a person might use a quotation from a famous poem to convey the emotion that the original author was trying to convey in their work. |
| Example | Here is an example of a quote from a fictional character: "Elementary, my dear Watson." - Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles | Here is an example of a quotation from a famous poem: "Art is the queen of all sciences." - Leonardo da Vinci |
In the context of databases, the terms "quote" and "quotation" are not used directly. Instead, they are related to the usage of single and double quotation marks in database queries, which serve different purposes:
Single Quotes: These are used to indicate textual values or string literals, such as names, descriptions, or other forms of textual data within SQL statements. For example, when inserting data into a database, the string should be enclosed in single quotes.
Double Quotes: These are used to indicate identifiers within the database, such as table and column names. Double quotes help distinguish these identifiers and allow for special characters or spaces within the names.
In this context, single quotes and double quotes serve different purposes within database queries, and their usage depends on the specific requirements of the query or database system being used.
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