What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subpoena
Example
The judge issued a subpoena for the witness to appear in court. [subpoena: noun]
Example
The lawyer subpoenaed the documents from the company. [subpoenaed: past tense verb]
citation
Example
The student included a citation for the research paper. [citation: noun]
Example
The author cited several sources in the article. [cited: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Citation is more commonly used than subpoena in everyday language. Citation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subpoena is less common and mostly used in legal proceedings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subpoena and citation?
Subpoena is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while citation can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
