sources

word · lemma: source

/ˈsɔɹsəz/
SOR-siz
/sˈɔːsɪz/
SAW-siz

Definition

Sources are the places, people, documents, or things that information, materials, or something else comes from. It can also mean the original cause or starting point of something.

Usage & Nuances

Very common in academic, journalistic, and everyday contexts. Common collocations include 'reliable sources', 'primary sources', 'energy sources', and 'anonymous sources'. Learners often confuse 'source' with 'resource': a 'source' is where something comes from, while a 'resource' is something useful that you can use.

Example Sentences

We used two sources for our school project.

basic

The river has many sources in the mountains.

basic

Books and websites are good sources of information.

basic

According to several sources, the company will announce changes next week.

natural

Try to check your sources before you share that article.

natural

We need new sources of energy if we want cleaner cities.

natural