quotative

quotative

A student uses a quotative phrase to report what a friend said.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Relating to quotation: "quotative" describes something that pertains to or involves the act of quoting or citing a source.
    • Inclined to quote: It can also describe a person who frequently uses quotations in speech or writing.

  2. Noun (linguistics):

    • A marker of reported speech: In grammar, a "quotative" is a word, phrase, or grammatical construction used to indicate that the following speech or thought is being reported from another source (e.g., "he said," "she was like").
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • The author's quotative style made the essay rich with references. (The writer frequently used quotations from other sources.)
    • His quotative habit annoyed his colleagues, as he constantly cited famous thinkers. (He had a tendency to quote others often.)

  • Noun:

    • In many languages, the quotative is a distinct grammatical particle. (There is a specific marker for reported speech.)
    • The word "like" is often used as a quotative in informal English, as in "He was like, 'I don't know.'" (It introduces reported speech or thoughts.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Quotative inversion": A grammatical structure where the verb of saying precedes the speaker, e.g., (This uses a quotative verb without a direct quotative marker.)
  • "Quotative evidential": In linguistics, a quotative can function as an evidential marker, indicating that the speaker is reporting information from another source rather than firsthand knowledge.
    • In some languages, a quotative suffix on a verb means "they say" or "it is said." (This conveys hearsay or reported information.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Quotation (n): a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author.
    • She used a quotation from Shakespeare in her speech. (A direct quote from a source.)
  • Quotable (adj): suitable for or worth quoting.
    • His speech was full of quotable lines. (Memorable phrases that are easy to cite.)
  • Quote (v): to repeat or copy out words from a text or speech.
    • He likes to quote famous philosophers. (To reproduce their words.)
Synonyms
  • Citational (adj): relating to the act of citing.
    • The paper has a citational appendix. (It contains references to sources.)
  • Reportive (adj): serving to report or convey information from another source.
    • The reportive function of the quotative is clear in this sentence. (It indicates that the information is reported.)
Related Idioms
  • "To put words in someone's mouth": to attribute a statement to someone that they did not actually say, often distorting a quotative context.
    • Don't put words in my mouth—I never said that. (Do not misquote me.)
  • "Quote me on that": an informal phrase inviting someone to repeat one's words as a quotation.
    • "This is the best pizza in town, and you can quote me on that." (Use my words as a direct quote.)