Supra (grammar)
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Supra (Latin for "above") is an academic and legal citation signal used when a writer desires to refer a reader to an earlier-cited authority. It is just another name of the foot notes written at the end of the page. For example, an author wanting to refer to a source in his or her third footnote would cite: See supra note 3. Or for text in that note: See supra text accompanying note 3.
Supra can also be used to provide a short form citation to an earlier (but not immediately preceding) authority. For example:
- Stephen J. Legatzke, Note, The Equitable Recoupment Doctrine in United States v. Dalm: Where's the Equity, 10 Va. Tax Rev. 861 (1991).
- Legatzke, supra at 862.
In this example, the second citation refers the reader to page 862 in the journal in which the article by Legatzke appears. The use of supra should be done with care and only when the user fully understands its usage as it could be very confusing to readers if not used appropriately.