Cool MateCite vs Mention
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cite
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Mention
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Mention
| Cite | Mention | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/saɪt/","/saɪts/","/ˈsaɪtɪd/","/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/saɪt/","/saɪts/","/ˈsaɪtɪd/","/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmenʃn/","/ˈmenʃnz/","/ˈmenʃnd/","/ˈmenʃənɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmenʃn/","/ˈmenʃnz/","/ˈmenʃnd/","/ˈmenʃənɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To mention something as proof or support. | To talk about something briefly. |
| Example | In her essay, she wanted to cite several influential authors to support her argument. | Please mention your favorite books in the discussion. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | above, already, earlier, as, above, already, earlier, as | already, earlier, just, not bother to, fail to, forget to, as, in, in connection with, avoid mentioning somebody/something, be worth mentioning something, mentioned above |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard | ignore, overlook, disregard |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'site' (a place) or 'sight' (vision)., Omitting the source details after citing., Using it in informal contexts where reference isn't needed. | Using it without specifying the object, e.g., 'I mention' instead of 'I mention the topic.', Confusing 'mention' with 'tell' when it comes to conveying information., Using 'mention' in contexts where 'suggest' or 'advise' would be more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'cite' when referring to sources in academic or formal writing. Avoid it in casual conversation unless discussing specific references. It's common in research and legal contexts. | Used in both spoken and written contexts. It can be used formally or informally. Be careful not to confuse it with 'discuss' which implies a deeper conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Cite vs Mention
What's the difference between Cite and Mention?
Cite: To mention something as proof or support. Mention: To talk about something briefly.
Which is more common: Cite and Mention?
Mention is the most common in everyday English.
Are Cite and Mention the same CEFR level?
Cite: B2, Mention: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Cite and Mention interchangeably?
Not always. Cite and Mention are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.