Comma Rule #2. Use a comma after a quoted sentence, inside the quotation marks, followed by a concluding statement. For example: “The second-period class is in agreement and suggests using Wednesday study hall to get started,” was the reply. Comma Rule #3. Use a comma inside the quotation marks when followed by an interrupting expression.
Comma Rule #1: A comma belongs before the quotation marks when placed after an introductory expression. An introductory expression is a phrase or clause that acts as a qualifying or clarifying statement about the rest of the sentence. This expression is followed by a comma which is placed before the beginning quotation mark. For example:
The commas separate the direct speech of the father (“My goodness,” at the beginning, and “take off your dirty shoes before coming into the house” at the end) from the reporting clause (“said my father”). You can skip the comma before or after the quote for short quotes or phrases within a sentence if they flow naturally.
Quotation marks with periods, commas, and other punctuation. How do quotations work with commas and other punctuation? A comma is placed within the quotation marks to introduce a direct quote. If the description of the quote’s speaker is placed after the quotation, a comma is always placed within the quotation marks.
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.
When a comma or period is needed after a quotation, publishers in the United States typically put the punctuation mark before the closing quotation mark. The reason for this convention is to improve the appearance of the text. The convention goes back at least to the nineteenth century.
Conclusion on Where to Place Commas in Quotations. There you have it—a complete guide to using commas correctly with quotation marks. Here’s a quick recap: According to American style guides, you should always put a comma before the closing quotation mark; If you’re following British style guides, you can choose where to put the comma
If a direct quotation is interrupted mid-sentence, do not capitalize the second part of the quotation. "I didn't see an actual alien being," Mr. Johnson said, "but I sure wish I had." In all the examples above, note how the period or comma punctuation always comes before the final quotation mark.
What most style guides say: in American English, periods (and commas) nearly always sit inside the closing quotation mark, while British or so-called logical punctuation usually places them outside unless they belong to the original words. ... APA 7 follows the American convention: place commas and periods inside quotation marks, except when a ...
Periods and commas only appear inside the quotation marks if the original quoted sentence also contained this punctuation. Otherwise, the rule is always to put the punctuation after the quotation marks. 2. Commas Introducing Quotes. When introducing a quote in a sentence, a comma is usually used to precede the quote before starting the ...
A period can be used to introduce a block quotation when the introductory text stands on its own as a complete sentence. In such cases, a colon is also proper—and sometimes preferable. No punctuation. When the quoted material flows directly from your introductory text, no punctuation should be used before the quotation.
Use a comma to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, or a dependent clause. The detective said, "I am sure who performed the murder." As D.H. Nachas explains, "The gestures used for greeting others differ greatly from one culture to another."
Punctuation stays inside the quotation marks whether at the end of the sentence or after a comma. For quotes within quotes, follow the same rule. On the British side, the first thing you might notice is a swap to using single quotation marks first, and double quotation marks to quote things within the single marks.
The MLA Handbook notes, “By convention, commas and periods that directly follow quotations go inside the closing quotation marks” (267). Thus, in the following sentence, the comma is placed after taught: “You’ve got to be carefully taught,” wrote Oscar Hammerstein II. The rule is the same for a list of titles: Julio Cortázar wrote many short stories, …
Master the art of punctuation with our guide on 9 Quotations Rules to Perfect Your Writing Punctuation. Learn essential techniques for using quotation marks, dialogue, and indirect speech, while avoiding common mistakes. Improve clarity, consistency, and professionalism in your writing with these expert tips, enhancing readability and grammatical accuracy across all written content.
In American English, commas, semicolons, periods, question and exclamation marks are located within quotation marks only when a complete thought or name is cited, such as a title or full quotation. When quotation marks are used, instead of a bold or italic typeface, to highlight a word or phrase, punctuation should appear outside of the ...
Punctuation with Quotation Marks. Rule of Two: Two punctuation marks (periods and commas) go inside quotation marks, two marks (colons and semi colons) go outside, and two (question marks and exclamation points) can go in either place, depending upon meaning. Two go inside: Period: “That doesn’t concern you.”
Where does your period go in quotes? Is it inside or outside of the quotation marks? What about your exclamation point? Your question mark?
