Sometimes when quoting a source, you may discover an error in the original text. For example, there could be a typographical error or a wrong punctuation mark in the quote. Sometimes, you are allowed to correct such language errors in citations. Different rules apply if you follow the APA style. In APA, you copy the citation including the error and put a note after it. How does this work? We are happy to explain the guidelines to you . We also briefly discuss other errors we regularly encounter in citations.
Are you allowed to correct language errors in quotes?
Suppose you come across an error in a source you cite, or you notice that the original author made a typo and forgot a letter. In principle, you would think you would be allowed to correct such a language error in a citation. If you follow the APA rules, this may not be the case as guidelines apply.
How does this work in APA style?
According to APA style guidelines, in this case you should leave the language error and put "[sic] " in the citation after the error. The word "sic" should be italicized.This notation indicates that the language error was already in the original text, and was not made by you. So, you do not correct the language error.
You can see what this looks like in the following examples:
Example 1
Original text
The current generation hold a lot of interest in sustainability.
(Here "hold" should be written as "holds.")
Citation highlighting language error in APA style
Jansen (2019, p. 5) says of this in his article, "The current generation hold [sic] a lot of interest in sustainability."
Example 2
Original text (a response to a survey question)
I don't like this idea because young people would suffers.
Citation highlighting language error in APA style
The respondent commented as follows: "I don't like this idea because young people would suffers [sic]."
Also avoid this language error in quotes
A language error that we often encounter in theses involves the use of punctuation in quotations. This is because the APA rules say something different about this than the usual language rules do.
Normally, the rule is that you put a period in a quotation, then close the quotation marks, and then do not add another period. With the APA rules, you do this differently. Instead, you omit the period at the end of a citation. You end the citation (without a period) with double quotation marks, then put the source citation, and end with the closing period.
This example shows what that looks like:
Incorrect:
"Sustainable development is extremely important right now." according to Pieters (2023, p. 32).
"Sustainable development is extremely important right now." (Pieters, 2023, p. 32).
Correct:
"Sustainable development is extremely important right now," according to Pieters (2023, p. 32).
Standard language rules:
According to standard language rules, you would format such a quote as follows:
As Pieters (2023, p. 32) states, "Sustainable development is extremely important right now."
The dot is then part of the citation.
APA rules for punctuation:
In APA style, that period appears before the closing quotation marks:
In this regard, Pieters (2023, p. 32) states, "Sustainable development is extremely important right now."
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