Blog about English
Using quotation marks in direct speech, titles and quotations.
Quotation marks are used to identify direct speech, quoted material, and certain titles or words discussed as words depending on style.
English commonly uses double quotation marks for direct quotations, with single quotation marks used inside quotations or according to regional style.
Double quotation marks are commonly used to enclose direct quotations in American English and in many international styles.
For example, She said, "I am ready."
Single quotation marks may be used for direct quotations in British English and are commonly used for quotations inside quotations.
For example, He said, 'I heard her say "Wait."'
Quotation-mark conventions differ between major English style traditions, especially in the choice between single and double quotation marks.
American styles commonly use double quotation marks first, while many British styles use single quotation marks first.
Quotation marks commonly enclose the exact words spoken by a person.
For example, "I will call you tomorrow," she said.
A reporting clause can follow direct speech and is punctuated according to the quotation style being used.
For example, "I am tired," she said.
A reporting clause can introduce direct speech before the quoted words.
For example, She said, "I am tired."
A reporting clause can interrupt a single sentence of direct speech and the punctuation depends on whether the sentence continues.
For example, "I think," she said, "we should leave now."
A complete direct quotation normally begins with a capital letter when it forms a complete sentence.
For example, He said, "We are ready."
A quoted fragment incorporated into a larger grammatical sentence does not necessarily begin with a capital letter.
For example, The word "ready" appears in the sentence.
Quotation marks identify wording presented as an exact quotation rather than a paraphrase.
For example, The report states, "The system is unavailable."
Quotation marks should generally not be used around paraphrased material when the wording is not presented as exact.
For example, The report says that the system is unavailable does not require quotation marks around the entire paraphrase.
Quotation marks may be used for shorter works such as articles, short stories, poems, songs, episodes, and individual chapters depending on the chosen style.
For example, "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "Yesterday."
Style guides generally use quotation marks for shorter works and italics for larger independent works, although exact conventions vary by style.
For example, an article title may use quotation marks while a book title may be italicized.
Quotation marks can identify a word or expression being discussed rather than used for its ordinary meaning, although italics are also common in formal writing.
For example, The word "however" is a conjunction.
Quotation marks can signal that a word is being used ironically, skeptically, or with a special meaning.
For example, He is a "professional" in the sarcastic sense.
When double quotation marks enclose a quotation, a quotation within it commonly uses single quotation marks.
For example, She said, "I heard him say 'Wait!'"
When single quotation marks are used for the outer quotation, double quotation marks can mark a quotation inside it.
For example, He said, 'I heard her say "Wait!"'
Placement of commas, full stops, and other punctuation relative to quotation marks varies by regional and style conventions.
American style commonly places commas and full stops inside closing quotation marks, while British practice may place punctuation according to whether it belongs to the quoted material.
A question mark is placed according to whether the question belongs to the quoted material or to the surrounding sentence.
For example, She asked, "Where are you?" versus Did she really say "I am ready"?
An exclamation mark is placed according to whether the quoted material itself is exclamatory or the surrounding sentence is.
For example, He shouted, "Stop!" versus Did he really say "Stop"?
The position of a full stop relative to quotation marks depends on the style convention and whether it belongs to the quotation or the surrounding sentence.
For example, American style commonly writes "He left." while British styles may write "He left". when the full stop is not part of the quoted material.
Quotation marks can distinguish spoken dialogue from narration in prose.
For example, "Are you ready?" John asked.
In conventional prose dialogue, a new speaker normally begins a new paragraph.
This makes it clear who is speaking even when quotation marks and reporting clauses are used.
Academic writing uses quotation marks for exact borrowed wording and normally requires appropriate citation according to the chosen style.
Quoted wording should be distinguishable from the writer's own paraphrase and analysis.
Short quotations can usually be integrated into the surrounding sentence with quotation marks.
For example, The author describes the result as "unexpected."
Long quotations are often formatted as block quotations rather than enclosed in ordinary quotation marks, depending on style.
Academic and publishing styles may use indentation and separate formatting for longer quotations.
An ellipsis can indicate omitted material within a quotation when the omission is permitted by the relevant style.
For example, "The results ... were significant."
Square brackets can indicate inserted or modified material within a quotation when required for grammatical or contextual clarity.
For example, "She [the manager] approved the request."
The notation sic can indicate that an unusual or erroneous form is reproduced exactly from the source.
For example, a quoted error may be followed by [sic] when the writer needs to make clear that the error belongs to the source.
Technical writing may use quotation marks to identify exact interface text, commands, strings, or wording, depending on the documentation convention.
For example, Select "Settings" from the menu.
Quotation marks can indicate that a term is being reported as someone else's wording rather than endorsed by the writer.
For example, the company described the change as a "temporary" measure.
Quotation marks and apostrophes are distinct punctuation marks even though both may contain curved forms in typography.
Quotation marks enclose quoted material, while apostrophes mark possession, contraction, and certain omissions.
Quotation marks in informal digital communication can indicate exact wording, irony, emphasis, or skeptical distance.
For example, He is "helping" us can signal that the writer doubts whether the person is really helping.
Use quotation marks consistently for direct quotations and other intended functions, and follow a single regional or publication style for punctuation placement.
Common mistakes include mixing single and double quotation conventions without reason, using quotation marks around paraphrases, misplacing question marks, confusing quotation marks with apostrophes, and overusing quotation marks for emphasis.