Quotation Marks
How to Use Quotation Marks
Open quotation marks
The Grammar Detective shines the light on quotation marks (""), which always come in sets of two. When you open quotation marks ("...), remember to close (...") them at the end of the quotation.
Close quotation marks
Quotation marks surround "direct quotations." If you are using the exact words that someone has said, put quotation marks around their words.
E.g. "Are you going to the fair?" Sally asked Evan.
E.g "Whoopee!" Evan shrieked. "We can go to the fair."
TIP: Remember, whatever you open, don't forget to close.
Double and Single Quotation Marks
American English Uses Double Quotation Marks
In American publishing, all quotation marks around direct quotations are double quotations (" ").
E.g. "Junior plans to leave for college tomorrow." Tears filled her eyes as she looked at his baby picture.
British Publications Use Single Quotation Marks
British publishers reverse the usage of quotation marks and use single sets (' ') as the primary quotation marks, and double sets (" ") for quotations within other quotations.
E.g. 'Sybil told me, "Junior plans to leave for college tomorrow." Tears filled her eyes as she looked at his baby pictures.' Astrid said.
Quotation Marks Around Sentence Fragments
Double Quotation marks (" ") are used to surround sentence fragments that need to be emphasized within a sentence.
E.g An American textbook will speak of the American Revolution and refer to the "heroes of the American Revolution," whereas a British textbook will speak of the "colonist rebels" instead.
Use of Double and Single Quotation Marks Together
Quotation Marks Within Quotation Marks
When someone is speaking and quotes another person, alternate the quotation marks (" ") with single pair (' ') of quotation marks.
"George was telling me the other day, 'If you don't study hard, you'll never amount to anything' but I laughed and said, 'You'll see.'" Karen confided in Jesse.
LOCATION OF QUOTATION MARKS
Quotation Marks Are on Outside of Punctuation, Except When used with colons.
Quotation marks go on the outside of everything except in three situations.
Quotation Marks and Colons
Quotations go on the inside of colons (:).
E.g. There were several reasons why he chose college in the "West Coast" over the "East Coast": the sun, sand, and surf.
Quotation Marks and Semi-colons
Semi colons (:) go on the outside of quotation marks.
Quotation marks go on the inside of semi-colons (;).
E.g. The business man read the prospectus of the "experimental technology start-up"; his prospective partners waited anxiously.
Quotation Marks and Question Marks
Quotation Marks on Outside of Punctuation
Normally, quotation marks (" ") go on the outside of question marks (?) when the quotation is a question.
E.g. "Are you visiting Grandma?" the son asked.
The exception is when the quotation is a segment and not the question.
E.g. What are the key themes of the old reading, "Casey at the Bat"?
Quotation Marks on Inside of Punctuation
Sometimes, the quotation marks are inside the question mark, when the thought within the quotation marks is a separate part within a larger question.
E.g. Did you know that you will be required to give a speech on, "The pros and cons of jury duty"?
Quotation Marks and Parentheticals
Punctuation (Commas and periods) stay within quotation marks unless you include a reference in parentheses the end of the sentence.
E.g. The stories from the English, Canadian, and American writers, must be turned into the proctor by Friday, "according to the competition rules" (18).
Most quotation marks are simple forms of use. Use the Grammar Detective to remind you about the usages that are a greater challenge to remember.
TIPS: Remember to open AND close quotation marks for they are in sets of two.
Open quotation marks
The Grammar Detective shines the light on quotation marks (""), which always come in sets of two. When you open quotation marks ("...), remember to close (...") them at the end of the quotation.
Close quotation marks
Quotation marks surround "direct quotations." If you are using the exact words that someone has said, put quotation marks around their words.
E.g. "Are you going to the fair?" Sally asked Evan.
E.g "Whoopee!" Evan shrieked. "We can go to the fair."
TIP: Remember, whatever you open, don't forget to close.
Double and Single Quotation Marks
American English Uses Double Quotation Marks
In American publishing, all quotation marks around direct quotations are double quotations (" ").
E.g. "Junior plans to leave for college tomorrow." Tears filled her eyes as she looked at his baby picture.
British Publications Use Single Quotation Marks
British publishers reverse the usage of quotation marks and use single sets (' ') as the primary quotation marks, and double sets (" ") for quotations within other quotations.
E.g. 'Sybil told me, "Junior plans to leave for college tomorrow." Tears filled her eyes as she looked at his baby pictures.' Astrid said.
Quotation Marks Around Sentence Fragments
Double Quotation marks (" ") are used to surround sentence fragments that need to be emphasized within a sentence.
E.g An American textbook will speak of the American Revolution and refer to the "heroes of the American Revolution," whereas a British textbook will speak of the "colonist rebels" instead.
Use of Double and Single Quotation Marks Together
Quotation Marks Within Quotation Marks
When someone is speaking and quotes another person, alternate the quotation marks (" ") with single pair (' ') of quotation marks.
"George was telling me the other day, 'If you don't study hard, you'll never amount to anything' but I laughed and said, 'You'll see.'" Karen confided in Jesse.
LOCATION OF QUOTATION MARKS
Quotation Marks Are on Outside of Punctuation, Except When used with colons.
Quotation marks go on the outside of everything except in three situations.
Quotation Marks and Colons
Quotations go on the inside of colons (:).
E.g. There were several reasons why he chose college in the "West Coast" over the "East Coast": the sun, sand, and surf.
Quotation Marks and Semi-colons
Semi colons (:) go on the outside of quotation marks.
Quotation marks go on the inside of semi-colons (;).
E.g. The business man read the prospectus of the "experimental technology start-up"; his prospective partners waited anxiously.
Quotation Marks and Question Marks
Quotation Marks on Outside of Punctuation
Normally, quotation marks (" ") go on the outside of question marks (?) when the quotation is a question.
E.g. "Are you visiting Grandma?" the son asked.
The exception is when the quotation is a segment and not the question.
E.g. What are the key themes of the old reading, "Casey at the Bat"?
Quotation Marks on Inside of Punctuation
Sometimes, the quotation marks are inside the question mark, when the thought within the quotation marks is a separate part within a larger question.
E.g. Did you know that you will be required to give a speech on, "The pros and cons of jury duty"?
Quotation Marks and Parentheticals
Punctuation (Commas and periods) stay within quotation marks unless you include a reference in parentheses the end of the sentence.
E.g. The stories from the English, Canadian, and American writers, must be turned into the proctor by Friday, "according to the competition rules" (18).
Most quotation marks are simple forms of use. Use the Grammar Detective to remind you about the usages that are a greater challenge to remember.
TIPS: Remember to open AND close quotation marks for they are in sets of two.