Is someone speaking in your writing? Are you citing a book or a film? Then we see quotation marks in your future. Learn how to use them correctly in your writing here.
For instance, punctuation marks that introduce the quote shouldn’t be placed within the quotation mark. But sentence-ending punctuation marks follow different guidelines. Sentence-ending periods and commas go within the quotation marks while semicolons, dashes, and colons are placed on the outside of the quote.
It can be tricky to learn how to punctuate quotation marks correctly. Check out our guide on when to use punctuation inside or outside quotation marks.
Rule: If quoting multiple sentences, end each sentence with its punctuation inside the quotation marks. Example: The passage begins, “Once upon a time, there was a magical kingdom. The inhabitants lived happily ever after.” Following these rules ensures proper punctuation when using quotation marks at the end of a sentence in written English.
At the end of a sentence If the quotation is at the end of a sentence, the question mark or exclamation mark serves as punctuation to end the sentence. Do not add a period. CORRECT: Jorge inquired, "How late can nominations be submitted for approval?" INCORRECT: Jorge inquired, "How late can nominations be submitted for approval?."
Make sure that the words you remove do not alter the basic meaning of the original quote in any way. Also ensure that the quote's integration and missing material still leave a grammatically correct sentence. Quote context. If the context of your quote might be unclear, you may add a few words to provide clarity. Enclose the added material in ...
In American English, commas and periods are placed inside the quotation marks. Therefore, the following one is how the sentence is written in American English. A common proverb is, “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” The period is placed inside the quotation marks even if it’s not part of the quoted phrase, and it is written only once.
Direct quotations involve incorporating another person's exact words into your own writing. Quotation marks always come in pairs. Do not open a quotation and fail to close it at the end of the quoted material. Capitalize the first letter of a direct quote when the quoted material is a complete sentence.
When a quote takes up more than one paragraph, place a opening quotation mark at the beginning of each new paragraph. Only place a closing quotation mark at the end of the last quotation paragraph. Example: “Lulu crept down the stairs, taking care to step over the squeaky step. Once she was on the ground floor, she grabbed a coat from the closet.
Relevance: The quote must directly relate to the topic of your paragraph and the preceding sentences. A forced connection weakens the impact. Accuracy: ... Mastering the Art of the Quote. Ending paragraphs with carefully chosen quotes can significantly elevate your writing. By understanding the various techniques and avoiding common pitfalls ...
Anytime a sentence ends with quoted words, the end punctuation goes inside the final quotation mark. A period, a question mark, and an exclamation mark are all end punctuation. End punctuation goes inside a quotation mark. It’s your turn. Place a set of quotation marks into this sentence: Billy said, I’m hungry.
Signal phrases often give quotes context. A signal phrase shows who is speaking when a quote is included in a sentence. Signal phrases can be placed at the beginning of a sentence, the middle of a sentence, or the end of a sentence. Example: Gilbert said, “No matter what it takes, I’ll finish clown school.”
The quotation that is a part of a larger sentence determines the punctuation at its end if the sentence continues after the quote. Commas and periods go before the ending quotation marks, be they a part of the quote or not. End the quote with a period if it is as well the end of the sentence. He said, “I must check it.”.
Periods that are part of the overall sentence go inside the quotation marks, even though they aren’t part of the original quotation: And he said, "I like trains." Put the question-mark inside the quotation marks if the whole quotation is a question: And he asked, "Do you like trains?" But if the overall sentence is interrogative, place the question-mark outside the quotation marks: Wasn’t ...
Short Quote Definition. How to Format. Example. British English. Less than 40 words. Use single quotation marks, follow normal paragraph flow. The impact of technology is clear: ‘Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, making the world feel smaller.’ APA. Fewer than 40 words. Use quotation marks and include author, year, page ...
