Use double quotation marks to set off a direct (word-for-word) quotation. Correct: “I hope you will be here,” he said. Incorrect: He said that he “hoped I would be there.” (The quotation marks are incorrect because hoped I would be there does not state the speaker's exact words.)

Oct 14, 2024 · Use quotation marks to quote a source directly, show dialogue, signal the titles of short works, doubt the validity of a word, discuss a word without its intended meaning, or differentiate a nickname. Several other essential rules exist for correctly using quotation marks, including when to use single versus double quotation marks.

Sep 1, 2022 · Quotation marks are punctuation marks that mark quotations or citations in a sentence. You’ll typically see them as double quotation marks that look like double apostrophes (“ ”), but they also appear in single quotation mark form (‘ …

Aug 6, 2021 · 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.”

When a run-in quotation contains quotation marks within the quoted material itself, use single quotation marks in their place. When the material being quoted contains a quotation within a quotation (i.e., something in single quotation marks), use double quotation marks.

The primary function of quotation marks is to set off and represent exact language (either spoken or written) that has come from somebody else. The quotation mark is also used to designate speech acts in fiction and sometimes poetry.

Mar 20, 2024 · By understanding when and how to use single and double quotation marks, observing proper punctuation placement, and adhering to grammatical rules, you can ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

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.

Do not use quotation marks for words used as words themselves. In this case, you should use italics. The English word nuance comes from a Middle French word meaning "shades of color." A rundown of the general rules of when and where to use quotation marks.

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 …

May 21, 2019 · In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source. This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews. The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.

Jun 15, 2007 · Here are some basic guidelines for using quotation marks correctly in American English. Use double quotation marks (" ") to enclose a direct quotation: After telling an audience that young people today " think work is a four-letter word, " Hillary Rodham Clinton said she apologized to her daughter.

Double quotation marks are used for direct quotations and titles of compositions such as books, plays, movies, songs, lectures and TV shows. They also can be used to indicate irony and introduce an unfamiliar term or nickname. Single quotation marks are used for a …

Nov 25, 2024 · Quotation marks can be either curved/curly (sometimes called “smart”) or straight. If they are curved, opening and closing quotation marks curve in different directions. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you ensure you’re using quotation marks correctly. Quotation marks are used for many different reasons in English.

Quotation marks are a type of punctuation you use to show that you're quoting what someone else said. Whenever you use quotation marks, you're showing exactly what someone said or wrote. For example, take this sentence: We used quotation marks to repeat what Harry said. In other words, we quoted Harry.

With a partial sentence quote, do not use a comma, and do not capitalize the first word inside the quotation marks. Original quote: “No matter what it takes, I’ll finish clown school.” Partial quote: Gilbert said that he would finish clown school “no matter what it takes.”

Here is a brief guide to using quotation marks correctly. When using quotation marks in the United States, place periods, question marks, exclamation points, and commas placed at the end of a statement inside as illustrated below. “What would you do,” I asked, “if money didn’t matter?” The king shouted, “Let the games begin!”

When copying language from any other source (including published texts, internet resources, marketing or business materials, test or interview questions, and more) into your paper, you must use quotation marks (and proper citation) to indicate the source.

If the punctuation mark applies to the quoted word or phrase, then they should be placed within the quotes. If they apply to the entire sentence instead, then they go outside of the quotation marks. Here’s an example to show you the difference:

Aug 2, 2023 · The general rule with punctuation is that you should place periods as well as commas inside the quotation marks. This applies whether you’re using single or double quotations. In American English , colons and semicolons always go outside quotation marks.

If you’re using quotes in your academic writing, integrating them smoothly will improve the flow of your work (and your grade!). Too often, beginning writers will simply “plop” a quote into a paragraph without any set up or context.

Mar 26, 2025 · Without proper punctuation, sentences can become confusing, or their meanings can be entirely misconstrued. Similarly, correct use of words, phrases, and grammatical structures is essential for clarity and precision. ... Quotation marks hold a special place in writing as they denote speech or citation directly taken from other sources. They ...

Long quotations should not be enclosed within quotation marks. A quotation occurring within such a long quotation should be in single quotation marks; if a further quotation occurs within that, double quotation marks should be used. Foreign forms of quotation marks (see §2.12 (c)) should not be preserved unless there are special reasons for ...

Apr 2, 2025 · Place direct quotations over 40 words in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a newline, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new argin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within ...

Spanish and English quotation marks look different, but are used for the same purposes like direct speech, titles and quotes. Angular quotation marks (« ») and regular quotation marks (“ ”) (‘ ’) are both used in Spanish. Unlike in English, punctuation marks comes outside of the quotation marks. Learn more about Spanish quotation marks with Lingolia.

Jan 6, 2025 · Missing commas can cause confusion and ambiguity in a sentence, as in “I had eggs toast and orange juice for breakfast.” To fix a missing comma, add a comma to separate the items in the list, as in “I had eggs, toast, and orange juice for breakfast.” Conclusion. In conclusion, using commas correctly is essential for clear and effective ...