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.
Learn how to use quotation marks and adjacent punctuation correctly in American English. Find out when to use commas, periods, colons, or no punctuation at all, and how to handle quotes within quotes, block quotations, and translations.
The comma comes inside the quotation marks, unless the reporting verb is positioned inside a reported sentence that itself does not require a comma. ‘There is’ , Monica said , ‘nothing we can do about it.’
Learn how to use commas, periods, colons, semicolons, question marks, and exclamation points with quotation marks. See examples and explanations of different types of quotations and punctuation rules.
The following rules of quotation mark use are the standard in the United States, although it may be of interest that usage rules for this punctuation do vary in other countries. The following covers the basic use of quotation marks. For details and exceptions consult the separate sections of this guide. Direct Quotations
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.
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.
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.
Placement with other punctuation: A period or comma always go inside closing quotation marks. ("We hope to win the game," he said.) A dash, semicolon, question mark and exclamation point go inside closing quotation marks when the punctuation applies to the quotation itself and outside when it applies to the whole sentence.
Punctuation with Quotation Marks. Rule: Commas and periods typically go inside the quotation marks in American English. Example: The article was titled “Breaking News,” and it caught my attention. Direct Quotes: Rule: Use quotation marks around the exact words spoken by someone. Example: She said, “I’ll be there by 5:00 PM.”
Rules for Using Quotation Marks. Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to signify a spoken or quoted phrase. More precisely, quotation marks are used to designate a direct quote—something that’s been said word for word. Example: He said, “I’m going to be a couple minutes late to class today.”
Learn how to use quotation marks (or quotes) correctly in academic writing. Find out the differences between single and double quotation marks, how to punctuate them, and when to use them for source titles and indirect quotations.
Read more about using double speech marks (") and single speech marks (') (Issue 2) Using quotation marks with reported speech Quotation marks are not used for reported speech. (Reported speech is usually preceded by the word that.) Only use quotation marks for actual quotations of speech or writing. The secretary said that "the phones were dead."
Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to begin and end quotations. They are either a double quotation mark (“and”) and used to enclose a full quotation, or a single quotation mark (‘and’) and are used to enclose a quote within a quote (also called closing quotation marks).
Quotes and punctuation. Periods and commas that are part of a quote should be placed inside the quotation marks. Example: He said, "It will rain today." Example: “It will rain today,” he said. If a quote itself is a question or an exclamation, place the punctuation inside the quotation marks. Example: She asked, “Will it rain today?”
Using Quotation Marks with Punctuation. When incorporating quotation marks into sentences, it’s important to observe proper punctuation placement. In British English, punctuation marks such as commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks are typically placed inside the closing quotation mark, unless they belong to the surrounding ...
Rules for using quotation marks. Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to signify a spoken or quoted phrase. More precisely, quotation marks are used to designate a direct quote—something that’s been said word for word. Example: He said, “I’m going to be a couple of minutes late to class today.”
Single quotation marks within a passage enclosed by double quotation marks In American usage, if you include a quotation within a quotation, use single quotation marks for the internal quotation. The governor explained the plan this way: “We’re doing to apply the highway funds surplus, which the Secretary of the Treasury has said is ‘more ...
