The word ‘ibidem’ is a Latin term that is often used in academic writing, research papers, and citations. It is commonly abbreviated as ‘ibid.’ and helps writers reference the same source multiple times without repeating full details.
Understanding the meaning and proper usage of ibidem is essential for students, researchers, and professionals who deal with formal writing. In this topic, we will explore its definition, origin, common applications, and examples of how to use it correctly.
Definition of Ibidem
What Does Ibidem Mean?
The Latin word ‘ibidem’ translates to ‘in the same place’ in English. It is used primarily in footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies to indicate that a citation refers to the same source as the previous one.
Abbreviation: Ibid.
- The abbreviation ‘ibid.’ is the most commonly used form of ibidem.
- It is typically written with a period (e.g., ‘Ibid.’) and is sometimes followed by a page number if citing a different section of the same source.
Where Is Ibidem Used?
- Academic papers (especially in humanities and legal studies).
- Books and journal topics.
- Research papers and theses.
- Historical and literary studies.
Origin and History of Ibidem
Ibidem originates from classical Latin and has been used for centuries in academic and legal writing. Before modern citation styles like APA, MLA, and Chicago, scholars relied on ibidem to avoid repeating lengthy bibliographic details.
How to Use Ibidem in Citations
1. Using Ibid. for the Same Source and Page
If you cite the same source and the same page number as the previous reference, you can simply write:
Example:
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), 45.
- Ibid.
This means that the second reference refers to page 45 of the same book by John Smith.
2. Using Ibid. for the Same Source but a Different Page
If you are citing the same book but a different page number, you should add the page number after ‘Ibid.’
Example:
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), 45.
- Ibid., 67.
This means the second citation refers to page 67 of the same book.
3. When Not to Use Ibid.
- If a different source appears between two citations, ibid. should not be used.
- Some modern citation styles discourage or replace ibid. with short-form citations (e.g., Chicago 17th edition prefers shortened citations instead of ibid.).
Ibidem in Different Citation Styles
1. Chicago Style
The Chicago Manual of Style traditionally uses ibid. in footnotes or endnotes. However, the 17th edition recommends using shortened citations instead.
Example:
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), 45.
- Ibid., 67.
2. APA Style
The American Psychological Association (APA) does not use ibid. Instead, it prefers author-date citations.
Example (APA 7th edition):
- Smith, J. (2010). History of Ancient Rome. Oxford University Press.
3. MLA Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) also does not use ibid. Instead, it prefers parenthetical citations with author names.
Example (MLA 9th edition):
- (Smith 45)
Advantages of Using Ibidem
1. Saves Space and Avoids Repetition
Using ibid. eliminates the need to repeat full citations, making footnotes and endnotes more concise.
2. Keeps Academic Writing Clean and Professional
Scholarly writing requires precision. Ibid. ensures clarity while maintaining a professional appearance.
3. Speeds Up the Citation Process
Instead of rewriting the same source multiple times, researchers can use ibid. to refer back quickly.
Common Mistakes When Using Ibidem
1. Using Ibid. When the Source Changes
If a different book or topic is cited between two references, ibid. should not be used. Instead, repeat the correct citation.
Incorrect:
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome, 45.
- Michael Johnson, The Rise of Empires, 22.
- Ibid. (Wrong, because the last citation was a different book)
2. Forgetting to Add Page Numbers When Necessary
If a new citation refers to a different page in the same source, always include the page number.
Incorrect:
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome, 45.
- Ibid. (This is correct only if the same page is being cited)
Correct:
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome, 45.
- Ibid., 67. (This correctly indicates a new page number)
3. Using Ibid. in Parenthetical Citations
Ibid. is only used in footnotes or endnotes, not in in-text citations.
Incorrect (APA format):
(Smith, 2010, 45)
(Ibid.) ❌
Correct (APA format):
(Smith, 2010, 45)
(Smith, 2010, 67) ✅
Alternatives to Ibidem
While ibid. is still used in many academic circles, some citation styles prefer alternative methods.
1. Shortened Citations
Instead of ‘ibid.,’ many writers now use a shortened form of the source title.
Example (Chicago 17th edition):
- John Smith, History of Ancient Rome, 45.
- Smith, History of Ancient Rome, 67.
2. Parenthetical Citations
Styles like APA and MLA prefer author-page or author-date formats instead of ibid.
Example (MLA):
(Smith 45)
(Smith 67)
Is Ibidem Still Relevant Today?
With evolving citation rules, ibidem is becoming less common in some fields. However, it remains useful in legal writing, historical research, and classical studies where traditional footnotes are still widely used.
While many modern styles have moved toward short-form citations, ibid. is still a valuable tool for reducing repetition and maintaining clarity in scholarly writing.
The word ibidem (often written as ibid.) means ‘in the same place’ and is used to indicate that a citation refers to the same source as the previous one.
It has been widely used in academic writing, research papers, and legal texts for centuries. While some modern citation styles have moved away from ibid., it remains a helpful tool for keeping citations concise and professional.
Understanding when and how to use ibid. correctly can improve the clarity of your research and ensure that your work follows proper academic conventions.