What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
footnote
Example
The author included a footnote to explain the historical context of the event. [footnote: noun]
Example
In her paper, she footnoted all of her sources to avoid plagiarism. [footnoted: past tense verb]
reference
Example
She made a reference to the study in her presentation. [reference: noun]
Example
He referenced several books in his research paper. [referenced: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reference is more commonly used than footnote in everyday language. Reference is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while footnote is more specific to academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between footnote and reference?
Footnote is typically associated with academic writing and is considered more formal than reference, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
