{"id":10267,"date":"2015-08-31T15:03:39","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T22:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-crowdcontent.com\/?p=10267"},"modified":"2022-01-17T03:14:58","modified_gmt":"2022-01-17T11:14:58","slug":"quotation-marks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowdcontent.com\/resources\/writer\/university\/punctuation\/quotation-marks\/","title":{"rendered":"Quotation Marks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quotation Marks<\/h2>\n

No one agrees about quotation marks. American usage is frequently the exact opposite of British usage, Canadians often form a hybrid, and exceptions abound. So, can you just do what you like with quotation marks? Well, not quite. Here are some rules that you do need to follow:<\/span><\/p>\n

American Style: 5 Easy Rules<\/h2>\n

1. Enclose Direct Quotes in Double Quotation Marks<\/h3>\n

A direct quote is word-for-word and is not introduced by the word \u201cthat\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Direct: Maurice said, \u201cThere will be croissants at brunch.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Indirect: Maurice said that there would be croissants at brunch.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Double quotation marks look like this: <\/span>\u201c \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Words that you are trying to distinguish from the rest of the sentence can be put in double quotation marks, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

I always misspell \u201cembarrass\u201d and \u201cdefinitely.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

2. Place All Periods and Commas Inside Quotation Marks<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Whether or not this punctuation was part of the original material that you\u2019re quoting, it goes inside the quotes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTheir,\u201d \u201cthey\u2019re,\u201d and \u201cthere\u201d are commonly confused.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Hannah announced her intention \u201cto systematize quotation mark usage once and for all.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

3. Place Colons and Semicolons Outside Quotation Marks<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Whether or not this punctuation was part of the original material that you\u2019re quoting, it goes outside the quotes.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the meeting, Mr. Suzuki revealed his \u201csure-to-succeed strategy\u201d: blogging, networking, and advertising.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Cathy responded, \u201cMy music is only suited for sophisticated ears\u201d; <\/span>City Music Review<\/span> considers this statement insulting.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

4. Place Question and Exclamation Marks Where They Fit Logically<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/b>If your quote is a question, place the question mark inside the quotation marks. If your sentence is a question, place the question mark outside the quotation marks. The same rules apply for exclamation marks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alexander asked, \u201cHave you ever seen a wolf on the beach?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Do you know who said, \u201cWe\u2019re all worms, but I am a glow worm\u201d?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The pirate bellowed, \u201cAvast mateys!\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I published my poem \u201cBlog Blues\u201d!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

5. For Quoted Material Inside a Quotation, Use Single Quotation Marks<\/h3>\n

\u201cAnd then Phoebe said, \u2018I\u2019m busy on Friday too\u2019,\u201d sighed Amanda.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

British Style: 5 Logical Rules<\/h2>\n

1. Enclose Direct Quotes in Single Quotation Marks<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Yep! That\u2019s the opposite of American style.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maurice said, \u2018There will be croissants at brunch\u2019.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Single quotation marks look like this: <\/span>\u2018 \u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Words that you are trying to distinguish from the rest of the sentence can be put in single quotation marks, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

I always misspell \u2018embarrass\u2019 and \u2018definitely\u2019.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

2. Place Periods and Commas Where They Fit Logically<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/b>If the comma or period is part of what you\u2019re quoting, place it inside the quotes. If not, place it outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTheir\u201d, \u201cthey\u2019re\u201d, and \u201cthere\u201d are commonly confused.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI was reading about how important a \u00a0healthy lifestyle is,\u201d said Jaques, \u201cso I\u2019m going to start exercising more.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Hannah announced her intention \u201cto systematize quotation mark usage once and for all\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

If the period could go inside or outside the quotes, place it outside:<\/span><\/p>\n

My dad always said, \u201cEat your broccoli\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

3. Place Colons and Semicolons Outside Quotation Marks<\/h3>\n

This is exactly the same as American English! Whether or not this punctuation was part of the original material that you\u2019re quoting, it goes outside the quotes.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the meeting, Mr. Suzuki revealed his \u201csure-to-succeed strategy\u201d: blogging, networking, and advertising.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Cathy responded, \u201cMy music is only suited for sophisticated ears\u201d; <\/span>City Music Review<\/span> considers this statement insulting.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

4. Place Question and Exclamation Marks Where They Fit Logically<\/h3>\n

Hey! This is the same as American usage, too! If your quote is a question, place the question mark inside the quotation marks. If your sentence is a question, place the question mark outside the quotation marks. The same rules apply for exclamation marks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alexander asked, \u201cHave you ever seen a wolf on the beach?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Do you know who said, \u201cWe\u2019re all worms, but I am a glow worm\u201d?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The pirate bellowed, \u201cAvast mateys!\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I published my poem \u201cBlog Blues\u201d!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

5. For Quoted Material Inside a Quotation, Use Double Quotation Marks<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2018And then Phoebe said, \u201cI\u2019m busy on Friday too\u201d\u2019, sighed Amanda.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Learn More:<\/span><\/p>\n