Quotation marks ( “ ” ) are written on the opposite sides of words, phrases, and quotations to separate them from the rest of the sentence. Here’s a quick guide to using quotation marks. But before we proceed, note that these punctuation rules follow the Standard American English which occasionally differs from British English.
Use Quotation Marks Properly
1. Use quotation marks before and after a direct quotation.
Quoting directly means writing the exact words a person said.
- “Did you read the books I lent you?” Celine asked.
- He confessed, “I’m falling in love with you.”
NOTE: A direct quotation begins with a capital letter, unless it’s separated into two parts by expressions like “he asked” or “he said.”
- “Did you read the books,” Celine asked, “that I lent you last week?”
- “Listen to me,” he said, “Sab, I like you.” [If the second part of the quotation begins with proper nouns or other words that require a capital, use a capital letter.]
Related Reading: Comma Use – Pause, Take a Break
2. Separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence using a comma, an exclamation point, or a question mark.
- “What a lovely dress!” exclaimed Anne.
- Mom asked, “Where have you been?”
- Clarke cried, “It’s all my fault.” [In American English, the period that ends the sentence and the quotation is always placed before the closing quotation mark.]
NOTE: Before you enclose them in quotation marks, make sure the question marks and exclamation points are a part of the quotation. Otherwise, place them outside the closing quotation mark.
- “Why are we here?” he wondered. [The quotation is a question; hence the question mark is enclosed.]
- Did you hear him say “get out”? [The sentence is a question that uses a quotation.]
- He screamed, “Set us free!” [The quotation is an exclamation.]
- I love Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Prince”! [The sentence is an exclamation, not the quotation.]
3. Use one set of quotation marks to enclose quotations with two or more sentences.
- Mrs. Geller narrates, “Mathilda dreams of having a new family. She’s spent 12 years in the orphanage patiently waiting to get adopted. I hope her prayers get answered on her upcoming 13th birthday.”
4. Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation.
- “My favorite part was Ross yelling ‘Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!’” said Rachel.
- “I yelled, ‘I quit!’ in front of our bosses,” shared Cathy.
5. Use quotation marks to enclose titles of books, movies, songs, and poems.
- I’ve read “The Alchemist” a hundred times.
- He loves classic songs like Count Basie’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”
- “The Shawshank Redemption” is an excellent movie adaptation of King’s novel.
NOTE: Use quotation marks for words or phrases that need emphasis.
- Her death was mourned by those who believe she’s “the best president we never had.” [Emphasis on the phrase that many believes]
- Monique cooked one good meal and Charles joked that she should be a “chef.” [Here, quotation marks were used to indicate sarcasm.]
Practice:
Place quotations marks in each sentence where they are required.
- He said, I didn’t pass the exam.
- Should I wash the dishes before leaving? she asked.
- She’s watching Legally Blonde for the fifth time this month.
- Monica has a distinct way of shouting I know! and I love that about her, Kath explained.
- Did he recite O Captain! My Captain!?
Answers:
- He said, “I didn’t pass the exam.”
- “Should I wash the dishes before leaving?” she asked.
- She’s watching “Legally Blonde” for the fifth time this month.
- “Monica has a distinct way of shouting ‘I know!’ and I love that about her,” Kath explained.
- Did he recite “O Captain! My Captain!”?
Thank you for reading. We hope it’s effective! Always feel free to revisit this page if you ever have any questions about quotation marks.
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