Quote versus Quotation

[Lunatic]

This may be only the by-product of an over-zealous assistant forensics coach. In college he beat it into my head that you quote somebody and recite a quotation.

I’ve almost posted this half a dozen times but the ‘favorite quote’ thread finally set me out to ask this question:

Was my assistant coach off-base or is ‘quote’ simply a very miss-used word that most people aren’t aware of (I was clueless until he repeated shot me with a squirt gun whenever I said ”In this quote by…”)


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Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
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[CajunCenturion]

No, your forensics coach is not off-base.

Quote is a verb.
Quotation is a noun.

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[Lunatic]

Thanks.

With as cross-the-t and dot-the-i as this forum often is I was surprised how many times I saw people referring to a 'quote' by someone and thought I might have been fed a line.

***************************************
Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum

 

[CajunCenturion]

Unfortunately, the misuse is so pervasive, that it's generally accepted even though it's technically wrong. That is also how language evolves, and I suspect it won't be long before quote is a noun.

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Lunatic]

I didn't the difference either until my sophomore year of college, so I'm going to hold anyone to it... I'm just a little surprised that as grammar concious as this board is, it wasn't made an issue of.

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Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum

 

[BJCooperIT]

Slinks back to my corner...

 

[Lunatic]

Slinks back to my corner...

My appologies... I've almost asked this question a half a dozen times and I left several practice sessions dripping wet due to a coach that had this as a personal pet-peeve. I thought I was the one that was confused.

But as it seems what I'm best at is unintentionally mucking things up, and today I seem to be doing a mighty fine job of it all around.

***************************************
Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum

 

[BJCooperIT]

Lunatic,
I do not mind being taken to task on a mistake I have made. Particularly when it is done with humor; it is a learning experience. What made me cringe was that my mistake became fodder for an entirely new thread.

I have another favorite quotation:

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

Peace!

 

[philhege]

I remember the last time an insurance agent offered to give me a quotation. I asked for Keats; he was confused.

Yeah, I know, different definition. I just like the story.

Phil Hegedusich
Senior Programmer/Analyst
IIMAK

http://www.iimak.com

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I'll have the roast duck with the mango salsa.