Learn how to use inverted commas, commas, full stops and other marks in direct speech. See examples of American and British English styles and rules for quotations within quotations.
Whether to place a period before or after a closing quotation mark depends on whether you follow American or British style. Periods always go inside quotation marks in American (and often Canadian) style. In British (and often Australian) style, a period (or a full stop) goes inside only if the quotes contain a complete sentence.
Commas and periods with quotation marks. In US style, periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. In UK style, a period (also called a full stop) or a comma precedes a closing quotation mark only if it is meant to punctuate the text within quotes. If it punctuates the surrounding sentence, the punctuation mark goes outside quotes.
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.
A quotation is a phrase taken directly from a text or speech. ... Sometimes a full stop is used outside of the quotation marks, this is because the full stop belongs to the whole sentence, not the ...
Punctuation (question marks, full stops and exclamation marks) go inside the inverted commas. If the person who is speaking is named before the speech, you must use a comma before the first set of ...
Learn how to use quotation marks for direct speech, titles, definitions and attention-grabbing words. Find out the rules for punctuation, omissions, errors and block quotes.
If the quoted material is a complete sentence that can stand on its own, then a full stop goes before (i.e. inside) quotation marks. However, if the quoted material is a phrase or clause that depends on the main sentence for meaning, the period punctuation mark goes after (i.e. outside) the quotation marks
US: full stops and commas before the quotation mark. Question marks and exclamation marks after it unless they're part of the quote. UK: all punctuation after the quotation mark unless they're part of the quote. Different style guides can vary, but these are the usual rules for the US and UK. I'm not sure about other English speaking countries.
Learn how to use quotation marks (or inverted commas) in English writing and speaking. Find out when to use double or single quotes, and where to place full stops, question marks and exclamation marks inside or outside quotation marks.
Learn the differences and rules of using quotation marks in Australian, British and American English. Find out when to place commas and full stops inside or outside speech marks.
If the quoted words end with a full stop, then the full stop goes inside the quotation marks. If the quoted words do not end with a full stop, then the full stop goes outside the quotation marks: •He said: "I love you." •She has read "War and Peace". Note that in US English, the full stop usually goes inside the quotation marks in all cases:
Speech marks are punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken. Learn the difference between direct and indirect speech, and how to use speech marks with reporting clauses and commas.
“Speech Marks” 1) Full stops and commas always go inside speech marks, even inside single quotes. Examples: The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again within 30 seconds. She said, "Hurry up." She said, "He said, 'Hurry up.'" 2) The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in
Do you put a full stop before or after quotation marks? In American English, the punctuation mark (i.e., the full stop or comma) always comes before the closing quotation mark. Conversely, in Australian English, the punctuation mark will usually come after the closing quotation mark, unless the quotation is also a complete sentence.
When the whole sentence is in speech marks, the full stop should go on the inside (even with the ‘Harry said’ at the beginning – and notice the cap on ‘It’): Harry said ‘It was beautifully written.’ Or ‘It was beautifully written,’ said Harry. If you’re in the US How to use quote marks. It’s the reverse of the UK rules ...
Start with a capital straight after speech marks. ... Use a punctuation mark before the end speech-marks. Never break up a section of direct speech – it’s rude. Don’t use a full stop if you are carrying on after speech. It’s usually better to say who is speaking after speech. Previous Next. Confirm.
No, speech marks do not end after a full stop. In British English, the full stop is placed inside the closing speech marks. In American English, the full stop is placed inside the closing speech ...