Excerpted: Definition and Synonyms
excerpted – Definition and Part of Speech
The word “excerpted” is a past tense verb derived from the base form “to excerpt,” meaning to select or remove sections from a larger piece of writing for use in another context, often preserving their original order. This term commonly refers to pieces of text that have been taken out of books, articles, reports, or other documents, and included in a different publication or presentation.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quoted | Involves directly using another’s words | “The author quoted several passages from the novel.” | Formal, Academic |
| Cited | Referring to texts in an academic or formal context | “The research paper cited multiple studies on the topic.” | Academic |
| Extracted | Implies removing a part for focused attention | “Key excerpts were extracted and included in the summary.” | Business, Informal |
| Summarized | Condenses information while keeping core ideas | “The lecture notes summarized chapters from the textbook.” | Formal, Academic |
| Paraphrased | Retells using different words while maintaining original meaning | “The report paraphrased sections of the interview for brevity.” | Informal/Casual |
Usage Notes
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Quoted: Best used when you are presenting someone else’s exact words. It is essential in academic writing or any context where attribution is critical, such as journalism or legal documents.
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Cited: Often appears in scholarly works where sources need to be acknowledged formally. It implies not just mentioning the source but providing specific references like page numbers or DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers).
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Extracted: This synonym fits well in business contexts where portions of a larger document are pulled out for review or inclusion in presentations, reports, and summaries.
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Summarized: Ideal for instances where the main points need to be presented succinctly without quoting directly. It is suitable across academic writing, executive summaries, and casual contexts when brevity is needed.
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Paraphrased: Suitable for informal conversations or essays where rephrasing is necessary to fit the style or tone of your work while retaining original meaning. This helps avoid plagiarism by altering wording without changing the intent.
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake is confusing “excerpted” with “paraphrased.” While both involve selecting parts from a larger text, excerpting maintains the original phrasing, whereas paraphrasing involves rewording. Additionally, using “cited” instead of “quoted” might imply the inclusion of an author’s ideas rather than their exact words.
Final Recap
The synonyms for “excerpted” vary based on context and usage:
- Quoted is used when presenting exact original text.
- Cited applies in academic settings, emphasizing source acknowledgment.
- Extracted focuses more on pulling out portions for inclusion elsewhere.
- Summarized condenses the information to highlight key points.
- Paraphrased changes wording while retaining meaning.
Understanding these nuances aids effective communication across different styles and registers. Practicing with sentences or in conversation can solidify your grasp of when each synonym is most appropriately used, enhancing both writing precision and reading comprehension.