Do Question Marks and Exclamation Points Marks Belong Inside Quotes? When a direct quote includes a question mark or exclamation point, the punctuation will be inside the quotation mark. But, when the question mark or exclamation point is not directly part of the quote, it will be placed outside the quotation marks. For example:
Place a question mark or exclamation point within closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the quotation itself. Place the punctuation outside the closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the whole sentence. Phillip asked, "Do you need this book?" Does Dr. Lim always say to her students, "You must work harder"?
(The whole sentence is not a question, but the quotation is a question.) The second example is not a question, but it ends in a question mark. For neatness, it is acceptable to use just one end mark. Under US convention, you should only use one end mark. Under the UK convention, if you're a real logic freak, you can use two end marks (if you must).
The question mark that ends the example sentence below is not part of the title of the cited movie, so it is not italicized even though the movie title is. (For more about using italics with titles of works ... Use of the question mark with other punctuation, including quotation marks, is explained in the section on terminal punctuation. Return ...
Question marks belong outside quotation marks when an interrogative sentence integrates a quote that is not a question itself. Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Other punctuation marks like question marks and exclamation points go inside quotes only if they are meant to punctuate the text inside quotes, in both American and British usage. You must check meaning: is the question or exclamation part of the quotation, or is the entire sentence a question or an exclamation?
If the quoted question ends in the middle of the sentence, the question marks takes the place of a comma. Example: She asked the question, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”before jumping into the pool. Rule #7 Similar to a question mark, when a quote has an exclamation mark, the quotation marks should go after the exclamation point.
Note that the period goes inside both the single and double quotation marks. Also note that, as a courtesy, there is visible space between adjacent single and double quotation marks. While American style has periods and commas going inside single and double quotation marks, question marks follow logic.
Learn when to use a comma after question mark in dialogue and quotations. This beginner-friendly guide explains rules, examples, and common mistakes. ... Using a comma after the question mark is mostly used in dialogues or quotation marks. however, the comma after the question mark is a rare punctuation mark because it is not used in formal ...
If the question mark weren't there, you'd put a comma after the quotes. Share. Improve this answer. Follow answered Oct 29, 2011 at 18:26. ... 12.6k 1 1 gold badge 34 34 silver badges 50 50 bronze badges. 3. 3. Of placing a comma inside the quotation marks, R L Trask writes in ‘The Penguin Guide to Punctuation’, ‘This makes no sense, and ...
1. Quotation Marks with Commas and Periods The MLA Handbook notes, “By convention, commas and periods that directly follow quotations go inside the closing quotation marks” (88). Look carefully at the following sentences: “You’ve got to be carefully ta ught,” wro te Oscar Hammerstein II. “After last night, I have only five dollars left,” mo aned Robert.
This really is a purely stylistic question. It’s worth hanging around [writers.se] as these sorts of questions come up there occasionally. Personally (and this is just an opinion, so kinda asking for this to be put on hold), I would italicise the title, and probably leave out both the commas and the quotation marks, but if I were writing within any kind of “house style” this is subject ...
Question marks are punctuation marks used to end interrogative sentences, or questions. The placement of the question mark depends on the structure of the sentence. ... Note that in this instance, the question mark comes inside the quotation (before the parenthetical) because the question mark only applies to the quotation, not the entire sentence.
A question mark ( ? ) is used to close a direct question. (What time is it?) Do not use a question mark with an indirect question. (He asked if we knew the time.) Put a question mark inside closing quotation marks when the punctuation applies to the quotation itself and outside when it applies to the whole sentence.
How to use question marks with quotation marks. Whether or not to put a mark (?) inside or outside a closing quotation mark depends on whether what’s inside the quotation marks is a question. If it is, put the question mark inside the closing quotation mark. Susan asked, “Do you think it’s realistic to finish the project by Friday?”
(Question mark that's part of the quotation goes inside. No additional punctuation is necessary to end the sentence.) Outside When the Question Belongs to the Writer Did the board really say, "We will consider the rules on charitable contributions"? (Question mark showing the writer's question goes outside.) Previous: Chapter 8 - Question Mark
