C1 noun Neutral

source

/sɔːrs/

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 5
1

The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.

The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.

2

The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.

The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.

3

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.

Word Family

Noun
source
Verb
source
Adjective
sourceless
Related
outsourcing
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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

1

The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.

everyday

The local market is my favorite source for fresh organic produce.

2

The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.

formal

The diplomat declined to identify the source of the sensitive information.

3

I heard it from a reliable source that the boss is planning a surprise party.

informal

I heard it from a reliable source that the boss is planning a surprise party.

4

Students are required to evaluate the credibility of every primary source used in their thesis.

academic

Students are required to evaluate the credibility of every primary source used in their thesis.

5

We are currently looking for a more cost-effective source for our raw materials.

business

We are currently looking for a more cost-effective source for our raw materials.

Word Family

Noun
source
Verb
source
Adjective
sourceless
Related
outsourcing

Common Collocations

reliable source reliable source
primary source primary source
source of income source of income
cite a source cite a source
energy source energy source

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

source vs resource

A source is the 'origin' or starting point, while a resource is a 'supply' or asset that can be drawn upon.

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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').

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'resource' when they mean 'source' (the origin of information). Another mistake is forgetting that 'source' is a countable noun.

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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.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'sourse', meaning 'a rising', which comes from the Latin 'surgere' (to rise).

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Often followed by the preposition 'of' Can be used as a transitive verb
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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 Words

to

A1

Used 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

This 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

A1

The 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

A1

Used 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

Used 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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