What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
allusion
Example
The author made an allusion to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in her novel. [allusion: noun]
Example
The poem was full of allusions to Greek mythology. [allusions: plural noun]
quotation
Example
The professor used a quotation from a famous philosopher to support his argument. [quotation: noun]
Example
She quoted her favorite line from the movie to express her excitement. [quoted: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Quotation is more commonly used than allusion in everyday language. Quotation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while allusion is less common and refers to a specific type of reference in literature and art.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between allusion and quotation?
While allusion is typically associated with a formal and literary tone, quotation can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
