Quotation Marks (“ ”): Essential Rules, Usage, and Examples for Perfect Punctuation

It is a well-established fact that quotation marks are used to showcase emphasis. Do you think there is more to them? Indeed, I will shed some light on an age-old question in this blog: “How to use quotation marks with examples?” But that’s not all. You will also find the answer to “Is there a one-stop solution for all the English grammar needs of a student?” as we will glimpse Next Education’s “My Grammar Companion”.

The use of quotation marks varies between American and British English. In American style, double quotation marks (” “) are typically used for direct speech and titles, while single ones (‘ ’) are for quotes within quotes. Commas and periods are placed inside the marks, regardless of logical meaning. Meanwhile, British English prefers single quotation marks for direct speech and titles, with double ones reserved for quotes within quotes. Here, punctuation, such as commas and periods, are placed outside the marks unless they are part of the quoted material. It sounds tricky, doesn’t it? But don’t worry—we’ve created a simplified list of rules to guide you!

What Are the Rules for Using Quotation Marks in English?

Inside or Outside Punctuation?

Generally, commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks. For example:

• “I love reading,” he said.
  However, colons, semicolons, question marks, and exclamation points depend on the context:
• Did he say, “I love reading”? -Question mark outside because it’s not part of the quote.
  

  Single vs. Double Quotes

  Use double quotation marks for direct quotes or titles of short works like articles or poems:

• He read “The Road Not Taken.”
  Single quotation marks are used for a quote within a quote:
• “I heard him say, ‘Reading is essential,’” she noted.
  

  Quotation Marks in Titles

  Short works like articles, poems, and short stories should be enclosed in quotation marks, while longer works like books and films are italicised or underlined:

• “The Great Escape” (short story), The Shining (movie).
  

  Quoting a Word or Phrase for Emphasis

  Quotation marks can highlight a specific word or phrase being discussed or used ironically:

• The term “friendly fire” is a misnomer.

Punctuation in Dialogue

When writing dialogue, each new speaker’s line should start on a new line, and each line should be enclosed in quotation marks:

• “Are you coming?” she asked.
• “Yes,” he replied.
  

  Use in Technical Writing

  Quotation marks are often used to introduce terms or phrases in technical or specialised writing when they are first defined:

• The term “algorithm” refers to a step-by-step procedure for calculations
  

  Rule	American English	British English
  Inside or Outside Punctuation?	Commas and Periods Placement Example: “I love reading,” he said.	Commas and Periods Placement Example: ‘I love reading’, he said.
  	Question Marks Outside if Not Part of Quote Example: Did he say, “I love reading”?	Question Marks Outside if Not Part of Quote Example: Did he say, ‘I love reading’?
  Single vs. Double Quotes	For Direct Speech and Short Titles Example: He read “The Road Not Taken.”	For Direct Speech and Short Titles Example: He read ‘The Road Not Taken’.
  	Quote within a quote Example: “I heard him say, ‘Reading is essential,’” she noted.	Quote within a quote Example: ‘I heard him say, “Reading is essential,”’ she noted.
  Quotation Marks in Titles	Short Works Enclosed in Quotation Marks Example: “The Great Escape.”(short story)	Short Works Enclosed in Quotation Marks Example: ‘The Great Escape’.(short story)
  	Long Works Italicized or Underlined Example: The Shining (movie).	Long Works Italicized or Underlined Example: The Shining (movie).
  Quoting a Word or Phrase for Emphasis	Emphasising Words or Phrases Example: The term “friendly fire” is a misnomer.	Emphasising Words or Phrases Example: The term ‘friendly fire’ is a misnomer.
  Punctuation in Dialogue	For Dialogues Example: “Are you coming?” she asked. “Yes,” he replied.	For Dialogues Example: ‘Are you coming?’ she asked. ‘Yes,’ he replied.
  Use in Technical Writing	Introducing Terms in Technical Writing Example: The term “algorithm” refers to a step-by-step procedure for calculations.	Introducing Terms in Technical Writing Example: The term ‘algorithm’ refers to a step-by-step procedure for calculations.

  All-In-One Grammar Package

  Knowledge is power, and My Grammar Companion aims to harness it by focusing on important aspects that make learning effective and enjoyable. You’ll find simplified grammatical topics described in relatable sections, excerpts, and anecdotes, making complicated ideas simple to understand. Multiple examples provide practical applications, allowing you to understand how to apply what you’ve learnt. Various interactive exercises, from fill-in-the-blanks to creative writing tasks, ensure that practising is enjoyable and motivates you.

  That’s not all; at Next Education, we’re transforming the future of learning with our innovative products. Our Next English suite includes engaging books and the dynamic EnglishLab, designed to support student development and come with a comprehensive teaching manual for educators. Discover more here! Dive in and experience an effective and enjoyable learning journey.