What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mentioning
Example
She mentioned her upcoming vacation but didn't say where she was going. [mention: verb]
Example
He made a passing mention of the new project during the meeting. [mention: noun]
citation
Example
The article included a citation to support its claims. [citation: noun]
Example
She cited several sources in her research paper. [cite: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mentioning is more commonly used in everyday language, while citation is more commonly used in academic or professional writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mentioning and citation?
Citation is typically associated with a more formal and academic tone, while mentioning can be used in both formal and informal contexts.