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ditto mark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˈdɪtəʊ mɑːk/US/ˈdɪtoʊ mɑːrk/

formal, technical

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Quick answer

What does “ditto mark” mean?

A symbol (″) used in lists or tables to indicate that the word, figure, or phrase above it is to be repeated.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A symbol (″) used in lists or tables to indicate that the word, figure, or phrase above it is to be repeated.

Any indication or convention that signals repetition of the preceding item, often used to avoid writing the same thing multiple times.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; the term and symbol are identical in both varieties.

Connotations

Neutral and functional in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specific written contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “ditto mark” in a Sentence

The ditto mark [signifies/replaces/indicates] [repetition/the same entry].

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
use a ditto markindicate with a ditto markrepresented by a ditto mark
medium
insert a ditto markreplace with a ditto markcolumn of ditto marks
weak
series of ditto marksavoid ditto marksexplain the ditto mark

Examples

Examples of “ditto mark” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The clerk dittoed the entries down the column.

American English

  • She dittoed the address for each family member.

adjective

British English

  • The ditto column saved considerable writing time.

American English

  • He made a ditto entry in the ledger.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in invoices, inventories, or schedules to repeat product names or prices.

Academic

Rare; might appear in data tables in appendices.

Everyday

Virtually never used in casual writing or speech.

Technical

Used in forms, ledgers, catalogues, and any tabular data presentation.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “ditto mark”

Strong

dittoditto sign

Neutral

repetition symbolsame-as mark

Weak

repeat markduplication indicator

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “ditto mark”

unique entryoriginal entrydistinct item

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “ditto mark”

  • Using a ditto mark to refer to something not directly above it.
  • Pronouncing it as /ˈdaɪtoʊ/ instead of /ˈdɪtoʊ/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally no; ditto marks are for lists, tables, and forms, not for prose writing.

It informally means 'the same for me' or 'I agree with what was just said'.

No. The ditto mark (″) looks like double quotation marks but is used specifically for repetition, not speech.

It comes from the Italian 'detto', meaning 'said', the past participle of 'dire' (to say).

A symbol (″) used in lists or tables to indicate that the word, figure, or phrase above it is to be repeated.

Ditto mark: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪtəʊ mɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪtoʊ mɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “"Ditto" (spoken) to mean "the same for me" or "I agree" is derived from the mark's function.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of two small marks (″) as saying "do it too" – repeat what's above.

Conceptual Metaphor

REPETITION IS A MIRROR (the mark reflects the item above).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the table, a was placed under each repeated item to avoid writing it again.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of a ditto mark?

ditto mark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore