Double vs Single Quotation Marks. As mentioned above, in British English, single quotation marks are generally preferred for enclosing direct speech, quotations, and titles. However, double quotation marks may be used in specific contexts, such as when quoting within a quote (nested quotations) or when indicating reported speech or ironic usage.
Quotation marks in British English reverse single and double quotation marks, so single quotation marks are the standard, and double quotation marks are used only for a quote within a quote. American English: “The chef told me, ‘Anything you order is free,’” I said to the waiter.
Grammar: Quotation Marks [‘ ’] or [“ ”] Quotation marks (or inverted commas) may be used singly or doubly. Single marks are generally preferred in British English, while double marks are obligatory in American English. Page contents: direct speech and reproduced text titles of short works definitions irony, scorn and jargon
British English and American English: The Use of Quotation Marks: In both styles, quotation marks are used to mark direct speech, emphasized words, titles of short works, and sneer remarks (the so-called scare quotes). Americans and Brits mainly use quotation marks in the same way, except when quotation marks coincide with other marks. While the British format quotations according to logic ...
US and UK English also differ on where to place punctuation within quotation marks. In US English, commas and periods that follow a quote are placed within the quotation marks. In UK English, all punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, except when they are part of the original quotation.
However, in British English, single quotation marks are used as the primary mark and double quotation marks are used for quotes within quotes. Example: David said, ‘Did you hear him say, “I'm not coming”?’ Quotation Marks for Emphasis. Sometimes we use quotation marks to highlight a specific word or phrase and to draw attention to it.
In British English, use inverted commas around quotes or direct speech, and double quotation marks to enclose a quote within a quote. ... In American English, use quotation marks around quotes or direct speech, and inverted commas to enclose a quote within quote. Example: He told me, “And then Mary said, ‘Annabell, you simply cannot park ...
Quotation marks are mainly used in direct speech. Direct speech gives the actual words that a speaker is using or has used. It is common in novels and other writing where the actual words of a speaker are quoted. In British English, these marks can also be called ‘inverted commas’. The words spoken are enclosed in single or double quotation ...
The main confusion here is where to put the final full stop – inside our outside quotation marks. In American English, the full stops are generally inside quotation marks. For example: “I am going to study.” “Mary was wearing a beautiful dress.” In British English, the final full stops are always outside quotation marks. For example:
In British English, Canadian English and islands under the influence of British education, punctuation with quotation marks makes more logical sense. Periods and commas that are not part of the quoted sentence go outside the quotation marks. Example in British English: My students enjoyed reading "Oranges".
This use of punctuation marks within the quotation marks is not considered appropriate in British English. So if you follow the rules of British English, you are more likely to write: My favorite novel is ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. Note that if the text inside the quotation marks is a sentence, then a full stop can be used at the end.
Definition: Quotation marks. These punctuation marks are mostly used to represent direct speech and can either be single or double. The use of single and double quote marks will differ depending on the version of English you are using (American or British). Punctuation marks introducing the quote are always placed outside the quotation marks, but sentence-ending punctuation marks may or may ...
Single quotation marks are often used for quotes within quotes or as primary quotation marks in British English, while double quotation marks are typically used for direct quotations and are the standard in American English. While single quotation marks were typical of British English, double quotation marks are tending to dominate more. ...
When does British English place a full stop outside quotation marks? In British - or “logical” - punctuation, a full stop (period) sits outside when it is not part of the quoted material; it only moves inside when the original extract already contains the punctuation. ... The placement rule is the same for single and double quotation marks ...
The British English Approach: A Different Perspective. Across the pond, British English follows a different set of rules for period placement. In British English, the period is generally placed outside the closing quotation marks, unless it is part of the quoted material. British English Example: - “I can’t believe it’s already June ...
