Main Difference – Quote vs Quotation
In everyday use, we often use the two words quote and quotation interchangeably, and many people think that this usage is correct. However, there is a difference between quote and quotation, and we should pay attention to this difference, especially in formal language. The main difference between quote and quotation is that quote is a verb while quotation is a noun.
What is a Quote
Quote, (verb) refers to repeating the exact words of another person, providing acknowledgement of the original source. For example,
“I realized that she was quoting passages from Shakespeare.”
“‘The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits’, she quoted Einstein.”
“Examples quoted above prove that the majority of the interviewees had no idea about the effects of formaldehyde.”
You will note that in all three examples, the word ‘quote’ refers to repeating words from a text or speech written or spoken by another person to prove a point. However, keep in mind that in modern, informal usage, quote is also used as noun to replace ‘quotation.’
Quote also refers to the estimated price of a job or service. When someone says, “garage quoted him 50$”, it means that the estimated price given by the garage is 50 $.
She quoted Einstein to prove her point.
What is a Quotation
Quotation (noun) refers to a phrase or sentence taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original writer or the speaker. You all must have heard the statement “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” This is a quotation from Alexander Pope. Always remember that quotations should be written inside quotation marks.(“”) The term “quotation” also refers to a formal statement setting out the estimated cost of a particular job or service. Given below are some famous quotations by famous people.
“Live as you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahathma Gandhi
“The Greatest Glory in living lies not in ever falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
“To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” – Mark Twain
Difference Between Quote and Quotation
Meaning
Quote is repeating the exact words from a text or speech of another person.
Quotation is a group of words taken from a text or a speech of another person.
Alternative meaning
Quote can also refer to the estimated price of a job or a service.
Quotation can refer to a formal statement indicating the estimated cost of a job or service.
Form
Quote is a verb.
Quotation is a noun.
Contemporary Usage
Quote is used as a noun in the informal, spoken language.
Quotation is only used as a noun.
Image Courtesy:
“Albert einstein by zuzahin-d5pcbug” by InformiguelCarreño – Own work. (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons
