The term "but cf." is a citation signal used in legal and academic writing. It indicates that the source being cited supports a viewpoint that may contradict the author's previous statement. Essentially, it suggests a conflict between the cited source and the author's claim. This signal is considered the weakest among major negative citation signals.
Understanding how to use "but cf." correctly can help clarify arguments and prevent confusion in legal writing. Users can benefit from legal templates provided by US Legal Forms to ensure proper citation practices.
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
(Hypothetical example) An author claims that a certain legal precedent supports a specific interpretation of a law. Following this claim, they cite a source with "but cf." to indicate that another legal authority offers a conflicting interpretation.
| Term | Definition | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| cf. | Indicates that the cited source supports a similar point. | Stronger than "but cf." as it does not imply conflict. |
| see | Directs the reader to another source for further information. | Does not imply any conflict or contradiction. |
If you encounter "but cf." in legal writing, consider the following steps:
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| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Citation signal |
| Usage | Legal and academic writing |
| Strength | Weakest negative signal |