Quotes vs. Quotations: Key Difference Explained
“Quotes” are the punctuation marks themselves ( “ ” ). “Quotations” are the actual words you’re borrowing from another source.
Most people say “quotes” when they mean the words, not the marks, because it’s shorter and feels casual. Meanwhile, academics insist on “quotations” to stay precise, so the two terms blur in everyday speech and typing.
Key Differences
“Quotes” = the symbols. “Quotations” = the borrowed text. One is hardware; the other is content.
Which One Should You Choose?
Write “quotes” in chat and social posts; use “quotations” in essays, reports, or any formal setting.
Is “quotes” ever acceptable in academic writing?
Avoid it. Professors expect “quotations” or “quotation marks” for clarity.
Can a single word be a quotation?
Yes—if you lift it verbatim, it counts as a quotation, even if it’s just “hello.”