Quotation marks | Inverted Comma | Rules and Examples | Punctuation Mark...

The Inverted Commas or the Quotation Marks

The Inverted Commas or the Quotation Marks

·  Quotation Marks (double, single) We use quotation marks to show (or mark) the beginning and end of a word or phrase that is somehow special or comes from outside the text that we are writing. Quotation marks can be double ("...") or single ('...') - that is really a matter of style (but see below for more about this). Quotation marks are also called "quotes" or "inverted commas". 1. Use quotation marks around the title or name of a book, film, ship etc: •The second most popular book of all time, "Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung", has sold over 800,000,000 copies and was formerly known as "The Red Book". •'Titanic' is a 1997 movie directed by James Cameron about the sinking of the ship 'Titanic'.

·  Note that in the above case, we may use "italics" instead of quotation marks. So the above examples would then appear as: •The second most popular book of all time, Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung, has sold over 800,000,000 copies and was formerly known as The Red Book. •Titanic is a 1997 movie directed by James Cameron about the sinking of the ship Titanic. Obviously, the use of italics is not possible in handwriting or with old-style typewriters. 2. We use quotation marks around a piece of text that we are quoting or citing, usually from another source: •In The Cambridge Encyclopedia of The English Language, David Crystal argues that punctuation "plays a critical role in the modern writing system".

·  3. Use quotation marks around dialogue or direct speech: •It was a moonlit night. James opened the door and stepped onto the balcony, followed by Mary. They stood in silence for a few moments, looking at the moon. Then Mary turned to him and said: "Do you love me, James?" 4. Use quotation marks around a word or phrase that we see as slang or jargon: •The police were called to a "disturbance" - which in reality was a pretty big fight. 5. Use quotation marks around a word or phrase that we want to make "special" in some way: •Note that sometimes we use "italics" instead of quotation marks.

·  Double or single quotation marks? Quotation marks can be double ("-") or single ('-'). If we want to use quotation marks inside quotation marks, then we use single inside double, or double inside single. •He said to her: "I thought 'Titanic' was a good film." •He said to her: 'I thought "Titanic" was a good film.' Punctuation inside or outside final quotation mark? If the quoted words end with a full stop, then the full stop goes inside the quotation marks. If the quoted words do not end with a full stop, then the full stop goes outside the quotation marks: •He said: "I love you." •She has read "War and Peace".

Inverted commas tell the reader what lies between them is direct speech. When we reproduce the words of a speaker as said originally, the speech is in the Inverted Commas. They are also used to enclose words of special significance for the writer.

Example: “Let me discuss this with your father first.” or Rajesh said, "It is easy to understand the Punctuation Marks."

 

Quotations marks (" ") are a pair of punctuation marks used primarily to mark the beginning and end of a passage attributed to another and repeated word for word. They are also used to indicate meanings and to indicate the unusual or dubious status of a word.

• "Don't go outside," she said.

Single quotation marks (' ') are used most frequently for quotes within quotes.

• Marie told the teacher, "I saw Marc at the playground, and he said to me 'Bill started the fight,' and I believed him."

Rules

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1. Full stops and commas always go inside quotation marks.  Example:  She said, ‘‘you need to hurry up.’’ 

2. The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks.  Examples:  She asked, ‘‘Will you still be my friend?’’  Do you agree with the saying, ‘‘All’s fair in love and war’’? ( Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no full stop after war is used.) RULES

3. When you have a question outside quoted material AND inside quoted material, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.  Example:  Did she say, ‘‘May I go?’’ 

4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.  Example:  He said, ‘‘Danial said, ‘Do not treat me that way.’’’ 

5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.  Example:  ‘‘When will you be here?’’, he asked. He asked when you will be there. 

6. Do not use quotation marks with quoted material that is more than three lines in length.