What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misreference
Example
The student's paper contained a misreference to a book that was never used as a source. [misreference: noun]
Example
The journalist made a misreference to the study's findings, misquoting the statistics. [misreferenced: past tense verb]
misquotation
Example
The politician accused the reporter of misquotation, claiming that his words were taken out of context. [misquotation: noun]
Example
The historian realized she had misquoted the primary source, and needed to correct her mistake. [misquoted: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misquotation is more commonly used than misreference in everyday language, as it can be used in a broader range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misreference and misquotation?
Misreference is more commonly used in academic or research contexts, where accurate referencing is crucial for maintaining credibility and avoiding plagiarism. Misquotation can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
