Excerpt: Definition and Part of Speech
An excerpt is a noun referring to a short extract from a text or piece of music. It denotes a segment chosen for its significance or relevance, often used in contexts where presenting only part of a larger work suffices.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passage | Refers to any section or segment from a text. Often used when the focus is on reading or citing parts of a longer work. | “The professor discussed an interesting passage from the novel.” | Academic, Formal |
| Extract | Implies taking out or pulling a part for specific analysis or presentation. Conveys a slightly technical tone. | “Here’s an extract from the research paper for your review.” | Business/Formal |
| Quotation | Usually refers to a verbatim segment cited with proper attribution. Often used in literary contexts. | “She opened her essay with a famous quotation by Shakespeare.” | Academic, Formal |
| Segment | A portion that can be from various media (text, video, etc.), emphasizing division into parts. | “The documentary highlighted an informative segment on climate change.” | Informal/Formal |
| Snippet | Denotes a very brief or informal extract; often used in digital contexts like code snippets or social media posts. | “Check out this snippet of the new song.” | Casual, Digital |
Usage Notes
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Passage: Best used in academic writing or formal discussions where precision in referencing specific text sections is required.
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Extract: Ideal for business and technical reports where clarity about a detailed part of a document is crucial. It conveys thoroughness and specificity.
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Quotation: Perfect in literary analysis, scholarly papers, or any situation requiring exact replication with acknowledgment of the original author.
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Segment: Versatile across different contexts (news segments, video clips) due to its neutral nature concerning medium type.
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Snippet: Favored in informal writing and digital communication for quick references or previews. It suggests brevity and a casual tone.
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake is confusing an excerpt with a quotation, which always requires citation of the source material, whereas an excerpt may not if it serves a summarizing purpose. Additionally, snippet can sometimes be mistakenly used for longer texts; remember that it typically implies brevity.
Final Recap
An excerpt refers to any section extracted from a larger work and shares nuanced meanings with synonyms such as passage, extract, quotation, segment, and snippet. Each synonym carries unique connotations, making them suitable for different contexts—from formal academic use (passage) to casual digital communication (snippet). Understanding these nuances enhances your ability to choose the most fitting term based on style and purpose.
To become proficient with these synonyms, try incorporating them into writing exercises or conversations. Experiment by creating sentences that showcase each word in its ideal context. This practice will not only expand your vocabulary but also refine your expression skills across various settings.