An indefinite article is a type of determiner that goes before a singular, countable noun. The two indefinite articles in English are “a” and “an.” Indefinite articles are for general or unspecified versions of nouns, and definite articles (or other determiners) are for specific versions (e.g., “a book” rather than “the book that I read last week”).
You can use an indefinite article before one of these words:
The noun it modifies (if there are no other modifiers)
The adverb that modifies the noun’s first adjective
When a noun has multiple modifiers, the article or other determiner is always the first modifier.
The choice between “a” or “an” depends on the pronunciation of the next word. Use “a” when the next word begins with a vowel sound and “an” when the next word begins with a consonant sound.
Indefinite article examplesThe neighbor needs to borrow anegg for arecipe.
Jeff wrote abeautifulsong about amountain.
Fatima had anespeciallyproductivemorning at work today.
AMA in-text citations are superscript numbers in the main text that direct readers to numbered entries on an AMA reference page.
Each AMA reference entry begins with a number and includes the author, title, and other publication details. Number these entries in the order that you initially cite each source in the main text.
Each source has only one entry, so if you cite the same scholarly source in multiple places, use the same number for all of that source’s in-text citations.
AMA in-text citation and reference entry example
AMA in-text citation
AMA reference entry
Another recent study explored the common barriers to asthma treatment.5
5. Papi A, Blasi F, Canonica GW, et al. Treatment strategies for asthma: reshaping the concept of asthma management. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2020;16:1-11. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8
To cite sources correctly in AMA style, follow the examples and guidelines below, or use QuillBot’s free Citation Generator.
AMA in-text citation format
In-text citations go immediately after the sentence, phrase, or clause that paraphrases, quotes, or summarizes each source. They usually go after the sentence’s period, but they can go in the middle of a sentence if only part of the sentence is summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting an outside source.
AMA provides the following guidelines for in-text citation placement:
After a period, question mark, exclamation mark, or closing quotation marks when the citation applies to the whole sentence
After a comma when the citation only applies to details before the comma
Before a colon, semicolon, em dash, or closing parenthesis if the citation only applies to details before these punctuation marks
AMA in-text citations and punctuation examplesWhile many experts believe that CBT is more effective than somatic therapy,5,6 one recent study showed that a combination of the two approaches is a more effective than CBT alone.7 Additional research (along the lines of Singh’s mixed methods approach8) should explore the efficacy of a combined approach for PTSD as well as GAD.NoteIf you include the author’s name in a signal phrase of the main text, you can place the superscript number after the author’s name or at the end of the sentence (depending on how much of the sentence applies to the citation).
If a source has two authors, use both of their last names in a signal phrase. For sources with three or more authors, use the first author’s last name with “et al” like this example:
The study by Meijer et al6 confirms our hypothesis.
In AMA writing, “et al” doesn’t have a period like it does in APA in-text citations.
Page numbers in AMA in-text citations
AMA only requires page numbers for sentences with quotations (which should be used sparingly in AMA writing). AMA doesn’t require page numbers when you’re paraphrasing or summarizing. The following formatting guidelines apply to AMA page number citations:
Put page numbers in superscript parentheses directly after the citation number, which goes after the closing quotation marks.
Avoid spaces between the superscript number and parentheses or between any of the details inside the parentheses.
Use “p” for a single page number or “pp” for a page range (with no period).
Type the number or range directly after “p” or “pp.”
AMA page number citation exampleHaidt explained, “Doing projects increases children’s sense of competence while also increasing parents’ willingness to trust their children and grant them more autonomy.”8(p265)
AMA in-text citations for multiple works
In some cases, you may need to cite two or more sources in the same sentence. For example, in a literature review, a single sentence might refer to several different research studies.
In this situation, add a superscript citation (and a reference entry) for all of the sources that the sentence paraphrases or summarizes. Separate the superscript numbers with commas but not spaces. You can also use a hyphen to cite a range of three or more consecutive sources from the reference page.
In the following example, “several studies” refers to sources 6, 9, 10, and 11 from the essay’s reference page.
Multiple AMA citations example Several other longitudinal studies have confirmed the positive correlation between community and longevity.6,9-11
Frequently asked questions about AMA in-text citations
To cite the same source multiple times in AMA style, follow these steps:
Number sources on the AMA reference page sequentially according to the first time each source is cited in your main text. For example, the first source you cite in text is “1,” the second is “2,” and so on.
Each source only needs one number and one reference entry no matter how many AMA in-text citations you have for the same source.
Each time you summarize, paraphrase, or quote each source, use the same number from the reference page in superscript at the end of the relevant sentence, phrase, or clause—like this example.4
QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can help you create accurate AMA references.
AMA doesn’t require writers to include the author’s name in AMA in-text citations. However, you can include the author’s name in a signal phrase if the name provides context.
AMA requires the last name(s) in signal phrases. For a source with two authors, use both last names (e.g., Kesey and Burroughs). For a source with three or more authors, use the first name with “et al” (e.g., Smith et al).
The AMA in-text citation—which is a superscript number that corresponds to a numbered reference entry—can be located after the author’s name, after the sentence’s end punctuation, or after closing quotation marks.
As a general rule, place superscript numbers at the end of the phrase, clause, or sentence that includes the information that applies to the citation like these examples:
Owens et al discussed socioeconomic barriers to psychotherapy,7 but this study focuses on emotional barriers.
The studies by Amani5 and Smith et al6 are also consistent with these findings.
Haidt discussed the importance of chores, projects, and free play for healthy child development.8
When you’re writing AMA citations and references, QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can help you avoid errors.
Endnotes are numbered citations or notes on a separate page at the end of a piece of academic writing. Each endnote begins with a number that corresponds to a superscript number in the main text (often referred to as a callout number).
Each citation style has specific guidelines about when and how to use endnotes. For example, APA and MLA endnotes are for sharing supplemental information, but in Chicago style writing, endnotes are for citations as well as supplemental details.
Chicago style endnotes example
TipWith the QuillBot Citation Generator, you can instantly create accurate Chicago style endnote citations. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can also help you ensure that APA and MLA endnotes are error free.
Footnotes are numbered citations or notes at the bottom of a page in a piece of academic writing. Each footnote begins with a number that corresponds to a superscript number in the main text.
The citation style you’re using determines when and how to use footnotes. For example, APA footnotes and MLA footnotes are for sharing extra information, but in Chicago style, footnotes are for citing sources.
Chicago style footnotes example
NoteFootnotes are similar to endnotes, and they usually serve the same purpose (e.g., they’re both options for Chicago style citations). Whereas footnotes go in the footer of each page that has the superscript callout, endnotes go on a separate page at the end of the document.TipWith the QuillBot Citation Generator, you can instantly create accurate Chicago citations. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can also help you ensure that APA and MLA footnotes are error free.
Each APA footnote begins with a superscript number that corresponds to a superscript callout number in the main text—like this.¹ You can place each footnote in the footer of the page with the callout number or on a separate footnotes page after the APA reference page.
APA footnote example
¹ Other general practitioner screening tools for Alzheimer’s include the Mini-Mental State Examination (Folstein et al., 1975) and the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (Brodaty et al., 2002).
Published on
December 30, 2024
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
January 13, 2025.
If you’re writing an essay in Chicago style, there’s a good chance that some of your scholarly sources will be journal articles. Chicago has two citation systems—notes and bibliography and author-date (which is far less common).
In essays using the notes and bibliography system, each journal article that you quote, summarize, or paraphrase needs two forms of citation:
An entry on a bibliography at the end of the document
A numbered footnote for each sentence that has information from the article
Use the examples below to learn about Chicago format for journal articles, or try QuillBot’s free Citation Generator to create in-text citations and Works Cited entries. Additionally, QuillBot’s online Notepad can help you take notes online and keep track of relevant source information.
How to cite a journal article Chicago examples
Footnotes
Bibliography
3. Guangbin Shi, “From Trap to Memphis Rap: The Incorporation and Reconfiguration of American Southern Hip-Hop Music in China,” Journal of Popular Music Studies 36, no. 4 (2024): 121, https://doi.org/10.1525/jpms.2024.36.4.112.
Shi, Guangbin. “From Trap to Memphis Rap: The Incorporation and Reconfiguration of American Southern Hip-Hop Music in China.” Journal of Popular Music Studies 36, no. 4 (2024): 112–40. https://doi.org/10.1525/jpms.2024.36.4.112.
Published on
December 19, 2024
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
January 13, 2025.
When you’re writing Chicago style essays for history courses and other disciplines, you may end up using scholarly sources from websites.
Chicago style offers two different citation systems—notes and bibliography (the most common and therefore the main focus of this article) and author-date.
In the notes and bibliography system, Chicago requires two types of citations for websites (and all other types of sources):
A numbered footnote for each sentence that quotes or paraphrases the website
An entry on the Bibliography page at the end of your document
The format for the footnotes and bibliography entry depends on several factors, such as the type of author. Chicago website citations don’t need page numbers unless the source has numbered pages (e.g., a PDF).
The examples and tips below cover a few variations of Chicago website citations. QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can also help you cite websites in Chicago style. Additionally, our Notepad lets you take online notes to keep track of relevant source material.
Chicago website citations examples
Full note
Bibliography
3. Manohla Dargis, “‘Wicked’ Review: We’re Off To See the Witches,” New York Times, November 27, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/movies/wicked-review.html.
Dargis, Manohla. “‘Wicked’ Review: We’re Off To See the Witches.” New York Times. November 27, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/movies/wicked-review.html.
Quotes about success inspire people to persevere and achieve goals. They can be especially effective in business presentations, email signatures, and team memos. Success quotes can even work well in some types of essays.
Reading success quotes from time to time can boost productivity and reignite motivation.
Whether you’re seeking quotes for work, school, or your own personal development, these 20 examples provide helpful insights about how to succeed.
Happiness plays an essential role in the overall quality of life, but where does happiness come from and how do people lead happier lives?
The following happiness quotes represent some of the most thought-provoking answers to these questions from scholars and writers of the past and present.
Whether you’re seeking personal inspiration, helping others, or writing about happiness, these 20 quotes provide a variety of insights on how to lead a happier life.
Education quotes are useful in a variety of situations, from classroom posters to teacher emails and teacher appreciation messages. When they’re poignant or insightful, they can be amazing conversation starters at faculty meetings and teacher training sessions.
They’re also ideal for informal writing prompts to help students reflect on their own educational experiences.
For whatever reason you’re seeking education quotes, the following list includes some of the most thought-provoking insights from renowned writers and world leaders.
