Cool MateCite vs Mention vs Name vs Quote
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cite
Mention
Name
Quote
| Cite | Mention | Name | Quote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/saɪt/","/saɪts/","/ˈsaɪtɪd/","/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/saɪt/","/saɪts/","/ˈsaɪtɪd/","/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmenʃn/","/ˈmenʃnz/","/ˈmenʃnd/","/ˈmenʃənɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmenʃn/","/ˈmenʃnz/","/ˈmenʃnd/","/ˈmenʃənɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/neɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/neɪm/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kwəʊt//🇺🇸 //kwoʊt// |
| Meaning | To mention something as proof or support. | To talk about something briefly. | A word that shows who someone is. | To repeat someone else's words. |
| Example | In her essay, she wanted to cite several influential authors to support her argument. | Please mention your favorite books in the discussion. | My name is Sarah and I love to read. | She decided to **quote** the famous author in her essay. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | noun | 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 | Christian, first, given, have, bear, carry, appear, sound…, imply something, badge, tag, plate, by name, by the name of, in somebody/something’s name, a change of name, give your name to something, a list of names, big, good, bad, have, become, make, name for, somebody’s name is mud, big, familiar, famous | quote a passage, quote someone, quote a source |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard | ignore, overlook, disregard | unknown, anonymous | misquote, ignore |
| 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. | Confusing 'name' with 'title', forgetting they are different concepts., Using 'name' as a verb incorrectly, such as 'I name the car'., Not capitalizing proper nouns when referring to names. | Confusing 'quote' with 'quotation' (the noun form)., Using 'quote' without specifying the source., Incorrectly using 'quote' in passive voice. |
| 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. | Use 'name' when talking about someone's personal title or identity. Avoid using it in very formal documents where titles may be more appropriate. | Used in academic, literary, and casual contexts. Avoid in informal speech unless referencing a well-known saying. |
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Frequently asked questions: Cite vs Mention vs Name vs Quote
What's the difference between Cite, Mention, Name, and Quote?
Cite: To mention something as proof or support. Mention: To talk about something briefly. Name: A word that shows who someone is. Quote: To repeat someone else's words.
Which is more advanced: Cite, Mention, Name, and Quote?
Cite is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Cite, Mention, Name, and Quote the same CEFR level?
Cite: B2, Mention: A2, Name: A1, Quote: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Cite, Mention, Name, and Quote?
Cite: verb, Mention: verb, Name: noun, Quote: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Cite: In her essay, she wanted to cite several influential authors to support her argument. Mention: Please mention your favorite books in the discussion. Name: My name is Sarah and I love to read. Quote: She decided to **quote** the famous author in her essay.
Can I use Cite, Mention, Name, and Quote interchangeably?
Not always. Cite, Mention, Name, and Quote 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.