source
A place, person, or thing from which something originates or can be obtained. In an academic context, it refers to a book, article, or person that provides information or evidence used in research or reporting.
Examples
3 of 5The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.
The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.
The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.
The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.
I heard it from a reliable source that the boss is planning a surprise party.
I heard it from a reliable source that the boss is planning a surprise party.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Spring' as the 'source' of a river. Just as water flows from a spring, information or goods flow from a source.
Quick Quiz
The historian spent years trying to locate the original ______ of the manuscript.
Correct!
The correct answer is: source
Examples
The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.
everydayThe local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.
The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.
formalThe diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.
I heard it from a reliable source that the boss is planning a surprise party.
informalI heard it from a reliable source that the boss is planning a surprise party.
Students are required to evaluate the credibility of every primary source used in their thesis.
academicStudents are required to evaluate the credibility of every primary source used in their thesis.
We are currently looking for a more cost-effective source for our raw materials.
businessWe are currently looking for a more cost-effective source for our raw materials.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
at the source
at the point of origin
source code
the original code of a computer program
open source
software with source code available to the public
Often Confused With
A source is the 'origin' or starting point, while a resource is a 'supply' or asset that can be drawn upon.
Usage Notes
In academic writing, 'source' almost always refers to the origin of an idea or piece of data. It can be used both as a noun and as a verb (e.g., 'to source components from China').
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'resource' when they mean 'source' (the origin of information). Another mistake is forgetting that 'source' is a countable noun.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Spring' as the 'source' of a river. Just as water flows from a spring, information or goods flow from a source.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'sourse', meaning 'a rising', which comes from the Latin 'surgere' (to rise).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western journalism, 'protecting one's sources' is a fundamental ethical principle that ensures whistleblowers can provide information without fear of retribution.
Quick Quiz
The historian spent years trying to locate the original ______ of the manuscript.
Correct!
The correct answer is: source
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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