Can You Change Words In A Quote?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you change words in a quote?

Words can be added or changed to a quote by using brackets

. Changes can be used to correct tense or to add necessary information. Brackets can also be used to make the pronouns in a quote consistent. However, brackets should not be used to change the meaning of the quote.

Are you allowed to edit a quote?


You can edit by changing or adding words

in order to: Integrate quoted text into your own writing. Clarify the meaning of something. Correct an error in the original text.

Can you remove a word from a quote?


Yes, you can leave out words you deem unnecessary in a

, but you can't take out words that will change its meaning.

Can you modify quotes in an essay?

  • Use an ellipsis to indicate omissions in the text. …
  • Mark additions or changes by placing the edited text in square brackets.
  • Use the term “[Sic]” to show that you've duplicated an error from a source.

Is changing quotes illegal?


You can specify that you reserve the right to make changes to the quote, but that you can only do with through writing and with 5 working days notice

. It's not viable to allow yourself to make changes without letting the client know.

How do you modify a quote?

When writers insert or alter words in a direct quotation,

square brackets—[ ]—are placed around the change

. The brackets, always used in pairs, enclose words intended to clarify meaning, provide a brief explanation, or to help integrate the quote into the writer's sentence.

How do you correct a mistake in a quote?

  1. A quotation that includes an error may be distracting, so consider paraphrasing instead. …
  2. If any incorrect spelling, punctuation, or grammar in the source might confuse readers, insert the word “[sic],” italicized and in brackets, immediately after the error in the quotation.

How do you take something out of a quote?


Ellipsis points are used to represent an omission from a direct quotation when it is cited by another writer

. This series of three dots—with a space before, after, and between them ( . . . )—is inserted where a word, phrase, sentence (or more) is left out.

How do you show removed text from a quote?

APA Style (7th ed.)

If you remove words from the middle of quotation,

use three spaced ellipsis points (. . .) to indicate the change from the original quotation

(American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, p. 275).

How do I remove a letter from a quote?

1. Legal style, explained in The Bluebook, permits

empty brackets

to indicate “the omission of letters from a common root word”—for example, “judgment[]” (77).

How do you cut out part of a quote?

Shortening a quote

If some parts of a passage are redundant or irrelevant, you can shorten the quote by

removing words, phrases, or sentences and replacing them with an ellipsis

(…). Put a space before and after the ellipsis. Be careful that removing the words doesn't change the meaning.

How do you replace a pronoun in a quote?

If you are quoting material and you've had to change the capitalization of a word or change a pronoun to make the material fit into your sentence,

enclose that changed letter or word(s) within brackets

: Espinoza charged her former employer with “falsification of [her] coaching record.”

What changes can you make to a quotation without noting the change for readers?

Changes to a quotation not requiring explanation

Some changes can be made to direct without alerting readers:

The first letter of the first word in a quotation may be changed to an uppercase or a lowercase letter to fit the context of the sentence in which the quotation appears

.

How legally binding is a quote?


Quotes are legally binding

and should ONLY be used when you are certain of the costs involved. NEVER label a written estimate as a ‘Quote' – You can be held to the figure provided. ALWAYS ensure that the customer understands whether they are getting an estimate or a quote.

Can I be charged for a quote?


It is quite legitimate for a fee to be charged for a quote to be given

. Often preparing a quote means the item has to be pulled apart and tested which can be time consuming for the service agent. The quote fee is usually taken off the account if you decide to go ahead with the repairs.

Can a quote be copyrighted?

The Short Answer.

Yes, quotes are protected under copyright law.

How do you add something to a quote?


Use square brackets to indicate changes to a quotation

, such as adding words, explanations, or emphasis. To “emphasize a word or words in a quotation, use italics.

Can you fix a typo in a quote?

If there's a typo in a quotation,

you use [sic] to show the reader that the error is in the original source and that you're faithfully quoting it just as it appeared

.

Should you change the spelling of a quote?

Using Original Spellings in Quoted Text

If you quote authors who use US spellings, you should make sure to keep the original spelling.

Do not change them to British spellings

!

What does sic in a quote mean?

In this context it means “

intentionally so written

.” On its own, sic means “so” or “thus” and can be found in phrases such as sic transit gloria mundi (“so passes away the glory of the world”) and sic semper tyrannis (“thus ever to tyrants,” the motto of the state of Virginia).

Can you use brackets to replace a word in a quote?


DON'T use parentheses when altering words in a quote

. DON'T use brackets to alter the original or intended meaning of a quote. DON'T change the mistake in a quote or omit brackets if they're originally there. DON'T use parentheses when changing a letter case or verb in a quote.

How do I remove a word from a quote in APA?

Shortening a quote

If you want to omit some words, phrases, or sentences from the quote to save space,

use an ellipsis (. . .) with a space before and after it to indicate that some material has been left out

. If the part you removed includes a sentence break, add a period before the ellipsis to indicate this.

Can you change pronouns in a quote APA?

Yes. You may want to make minor changes to a direct quotation. This is possible (as long as you don't change the meaning), but you must follow the rules covered in Sections 8.30–8.31 of the APA Manual.

How do you change from first person to third person in a quote?

To change the person from 1st to 3rd as you're desiring, you would want to try

paraphrasing

, which is rewording or reworking a quote while preserving its meaning. In this case try: 1) He said that in consequence, he's inclined to reserve all judgments.

How do you paraphrase a quote?

To paraphrase effectively, don't just take the original sentence and swap out some of the words for synonyms. Instead, try:

Reformulating the sentence (e.g., change active to passive, or start from a different point) Combining information from multiple sentences into one

.

Can a builder change a quote?

If you got a quote from a builder and they started work while it was valid,

they cannot charge more than the quote says

, even if the work ends up costing them more than they thought (e.g. it takes longer than they expected or the price of materials goes up).

How much can a quote change?

An estimate can be verbal or in writing — there's no legal difference between a written or verbal estimate. It's a best guess. The actual price may be more or less, but it is commonly expected that it should be

within 10 to 15 percent of the final cost

.

Can you back out of a quote?

So,

a price quote cannot be legally binding

. That said, a legal contract does begin with an offer by a supplier to provide certain products or services via a quote. The client can then accept or reject the offer or ask for changes to the offer (a “counteroffer”).

Do you need permission to use a quote?

Can journalists change quotes?

According to the AP style guide, which is considered standard in many newsrooms around the country,

reporters should “[n]ever alter quotations even to correct minor grammatical errors or word usage

. Casual minor tongue slips may be removed by using ellipses but even that should be done with extreme caution.”

What do you do when you add a word to a quote?


Use square brackets to indicate changes to a quotation, such as adding words, explanations, or emphasis

. To “emphasize a word or words in a quotation, use italics. Immediately after the italicized words, insert 'emphasis added' within square brackets as follows: [emphasis added]” (APA, 2020, p.

How much can you quote without permission?

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.