What is quote? Pronunciation and usage in English

quote means . Learn how to pronounce and use quote through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of quote

quoteverb

/kwəʊt/
Definition & pronunciation of quote

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "quote" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced!

Here’s the most common and accepted pronunciation:

ˈkwɑːt (rhymes with "caught" or "bought")

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • ˈkw - This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like the "qu" in "quick" or "queen."
  • ɑː - This is the vowel sound. It’s similar to the "a" in "father" or "car." It's an open "ah" sound.
  • t - A simple "t" sound.

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "kwote" – This is the most frequent mistake. It's incorrect.
  • Avoid the "o" sound: Don't pronounce it like "quote" (with an "o" sound).

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

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  • Break down the sounds further?
  • Give you some example sentences using “quote”?

Usage and examples with the word quote in English

Let's break down how to use the word "quote" in English. It has several different meanings and uses, so it's helpful to understand them. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (to say someone else's words)

  • Meaning: To repeat exactly the words spoken or written by someone else.
  • Usage: This is the most common meaning.
  • Examples:
    • "I quoted Shakespeare in my essay." (I repeated his words.)
    • "She quoted the president’s speech." (She repeated the president’s words.)
    • "Can you quote me on that?" (Can you repeat what I said?)
    • "The lawyer quoted the witness’s testimony." (The lawyer read the exact words of the witness.)

2. As a Noun (a direct quotation)

  • Meaning: A passage taken verbatim (exactly as it appears) from a written or spoken source.
  • Usage: Used to introduce a direct quote.
  • Examples:
    • "As Albert Einstein famously quoted, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’”
    • “The author’s quote emphasized the importance of perseverance.”
    • "He included a quote from the book to support his argument."

3. As a Noun (a citation - a reference to a source)

  • Meaning: A brief passage quoted to cite a source. This usage is a bit more formal and often includes a citation (author, title, page number).
  • Usage: Used in academic writing, research papers, and reports.
  • Examples:
    • “According to Smith (2023), ‘The results were significant.’" (This is a quote and a citation.)
    • "The study quoted several experts on the topic." (Referring to the experts in general.)

4. Informal Usage (a memorable or famous saying)

  • Meaning: A well-known phrase or statement, often attributed to someone famous. It's frequently used figuratively, not literally.
  • Usage: Often used for emphasis or to add a touch of authority.
  • Examples:
    • “Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration,” as Edison famously quoted. (We don't know if Edison really said this, but it's become a common "quote".)
    • "Don't count your chickens before they hatch," a common quote about not being overly optimistic.

Key Differences & How to Spot the Meaning:

  • Verb ("quote"): Focuses on the action of repeating words. Look for verbs like "said," "stated," "remarked," "declared."
  • Noun ("quote"): Focuses on the actual words themselves as a passage. Look for phrases like "As [person] said," "He quoted..." or "The quote was..."
  • Noun (citation): Usually includes a citation format (author, year, page).

Resources for More Information:

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  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., academic essay, creative writing, informal conversation)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you’re trying to use the word "quote"?

Synonyms for the word quote

Idioms of the word quote

quote (… unquote)
(informal)used to show the beginning (and end) of a word, phrase, etc. that has been said or written by somebody else
  • It was quote, ‘the hardest decision of my life’, unquote, and one that he lived to regret.
  • now that the, quote, unquote, ‘real story’ has begun

Practice with vocabulary quote

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. When preparing a presentation, it's effective to ______ key data from reputable studies to support your arguments.
  2. Before submitting your essay, make sure to ______ the main points of each paragraph in your introduction.
  3. The professor often likes to ______ literary passages verbatim to help students understand the author's original intent.
  4. During the negotiation, it was important to ______ the benefits of our proposal clearly to the client.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which action involves repeating someone's exact words, often for emphasis or as evidence? a) Summarize b) Paraphrase c) Quote d) Conclude

  2. When preparing a proposal for a client, you might need to ______ a specific price for your services. a) Estimate b) Propose c) Quote d) Calculate

  3. To properly ______ a scholar's argument in your paper, you must include quotation marks and a citation. a) Refer to b) Illustrate c) Quote d) Annotate

  4. If you want to restate an idea in your own words while retaining the original meaning, which action would be most appropriate? a) Quote b) Paraphrase c) Cite d) Recite

  5. To give a brief overview of a topic's main components without delving into specifics, you would typically ______. a) Quote a passage b) Elaborate on details c) Outline the essentials d) Reiterate the points

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The article presented the exact words of the minister regarding the new policy. Rewrite the sentence using "quote" or a related word form.

  2. Original: Before making a decision, we should ask for a formal estimate of the project's expenses from each potential supplier. Rewrite the sentence using "quote" or a related word form.

  3. Original: The report pointed to several recent studies to support its conclusions about climate change. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "quote" or any of its word forms. Use a suitable replacement word.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. quote
  2. summarize
  3. quote
  4. highlight

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Quote
  2. c) Quote
  3. c) Quote
  4. b) Paraphrase
  5. c) Outline the essentials

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The article chose to quote the minister's exact words regarding the new policy.
  2. Before making a decision, we should ask for a formal quotation of the project's expenses from each potential supplier.
  3. The report cited several recent studies to support its conclusions about climate change.

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