Refer to sb/sth - Speak - Cite - Quote
These words all mean to write or speak about sb/sth, often in order to give an example or prove sth.
Mention to write or speak about sth/sb, especially without giving much information: Nobody mentioned anything to me about it.
Refer to sb/sth (rather formal) to mention or speak about sb/sth: I promised not to refer to the matter again.
Speak to mention or describe sb/sth: Witnesses spoke of a great ball of flame.
Cite (formal) to mention sth as a reason or an example, or in order to support what you are saying: He cited his heavy workload as the reason for his breakdown.
Quote to mention an example of sth to support what you are saying: Can you quote me an instance of when this happened?
CITE OR QUOTE?
You can cite reasons or examples, but you can only quote examples: He quoted his heavy workload as the reason for his breakdown. Cite is a more formal word than quote and is often used in more formal situations, for example in descriptions of legal cases.
PATTERNS
*to mention/refer to/speak of/cite/quote sb/sth as sb/ sth
*to mention/refer to/cite/quote a(n) example/instance/case of sth
*frequently/often mentioned/referred to/spoken of/ cited/quoted
*the example mentioned/referred to/cited/quoted above/earlier/previously
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Top Tips Abz Ingles - Notes on usage - Synonyms
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