What does sic mean (and how do you use it?)

Different meanings of “sic”

When referring to quoted text, “sic” is defined as “intentionally so written.” When this term appears after a direct quotation, “sic” is used to indicate that the preceding quote is copied exactly from its original text and that all grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or non-standard spellings are native to the source.

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The term “sic” comes from a longer Latin phrase: “sic erat scriptum,” which means “this it had been written,” So “sic” is a Latin adverb that is used to note when a quotation may not be correct in terms of spelling or grammar. It was first used in the English language in the late 1850s as an acknowledgment. It isn’t appropriate to make changes to cited text. Quotations need to stay in their original form, so the use of “sic” lets the reader know that the author is aware of the errors in a quote and that the quotation used is identical to the original text, spelling errors and all.

”Backronyms”

A backronym is an acronym that’s created to fit an existing word. In many cases, they can be mnemonic devices to help someone remember the meaning of a word. Some of the backronyms that exist for ‘sic’ include:

• Spelled incorrectly
• Said in context
• Spelled in context
• Spelling is correct
• Said in copy

“Sic” itself is not an acronym for anything, but the backronyms may help you remember how to use it in your own writing.

Other meanings of “sic”

While the most common use of “sic” is to refer to errors within quoted text, there are two other variations of the word:

• In Scotland, it holds the same meaning as such and may be used interchangeably in everyday speech.
• It can be used as an English verb meaning “to attack” or “to entice to attack.” You may have heard it in relation to someone giving a command to their dog: “Sic ‘em!”

Using “sic” correctly in your writing

When used in conjunction with quoted text, “sic” may appear in brackets, parentheses, or be italicized. Each of those forms is considered correct. For example, if an original quote used an incorrect form of a plural possessive, you could use “sic” in any of the following ways:

• “Those boy’s [sic] cars are out of gas.”
• “Those boy’s (sic) cars are out of gas.”
• “Those boy’s sic cars are out of gas.”

Make sure that you place “sic” after each individual error to indicate your acknowledgment of it, but also take the time to make sure that what you perceive as an error is incorrect. Remember that British English differs from American English but is not technically incorrect. “Sic” is also sometimes used to denote terms that are considered outdated, but exercise caution in this regard.

Some writers use “sic” to poke fun at the original author for a quote or belief that is perceived to be naive or incorrect. This use of “sic” can replace “scare quotes” which are used to indicate that the author disagrees with a sentiment.

Alternatives to “sic”

In some instances, using “sic” in writing may be perceived as an unnecessary callout. While you can’t change an original quote, there are a few workarounds and alternatives to using this Latin term that allow for some amount of proofreading:

• Replace the misspelled words in the original quote. Simply put the new word in square brackets to indicate the change: “Put each transaction on a [separate] credit card.”
• Paraphrase the original text in your own words, but make sure to give credit to the source.
• Substitute “sic” with the Latin word ‘recte,’ which means “rightly.” To use this term to correct a spelling error, place both the word ‘recte’ and the correct word or phrase inside square brackets after the original misspelling: “Put each transaction on a seperate [recte separate] credit card.”

Writing well

Identifying errors in spelling and grammar is part of learning to write well. Be aware of common grammatical errors and strengthen your writing. Knowing the basics of grammar will help you build a strong foundation and ensure that your written output is the best it can be. These basics will help build your confidence as you improve as a writer.