What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quotation
Example
In his speech, the president used a quotation from Martin Luther King Jr. to emphasize his point. [quotation: noun]
Example
She quoted Shakespeare in her essay to support her argument. [quoted: past tense verb]
reference
Example
The article included a reference to a study conducted by Harvard University. [reference: noun]
Example
He referenced several sources in his research paper to support his argument. [referenced: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reference is more commonly used than quotation in academic writing. Reference is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quotation is less common and refers specifically to a direct quote from a source.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quotation and reference?
Both quotation and reference are formal words that are commonly used in academic writing and other formal contexts.
