Quotation Marks
February 12, 2005
Susan asks the English Master:
What are the rules for punctuation when using quotation marks? I vaguely recall something about commas, question marks, etc. being placed inside and outside the quotation marks, but don't remember the rules
The rules differ depending on whether you're writing for an American audience or for a British/international audience. I'll discuss the American system, since that is what I know best. Perhaps someone else could weigh in on the British system through a comment.
- Periods and commas: inside the quotation marks
- Colons and semicolons: outside the quotation marks
- Question marks and exclamation points: (a) inside if the question or exclamation is part of the quotation, and (b) outside if the question or exclamation is not part of the quotation
If we look at the actual punctuation symbols, we can detect a visual pattern to the rule:
- . | , inside
- : | ; outside
- ! | ? depends
Examples:
- When she said, "Aspiration is a prerequisite of inspiration," she wasn't kidding. (comma inside quotation mark)
- Toby often said that "patience is a virtue"; however, he was not a virtuous man. (semicolon outside quotation mark)
- Did she really say, "Aspiration is a prerequisite of inspiration"? (question mark outside quotation mark, because the question itself is not contained within the quotation)
- When the days grew short and the snow drifted up to the windowpanes, Sven often wondered, "Why didn't I move to Hawaii when I had the chance?" (question mark inside the quotation mark)
Extra Credit:
One exception to the rule for commas and periods is the MLA style for parenthetical documentation. If you're quoting a source and citing that source in parentheses at the end of the sentence, the period should follow the parentheses. Example: In Free Culture Lawrence Lessig claims, "the Internet should at least force us to rethink the conditions under which the law of copyright automatically applies" (140).
Thank you, Susan, for your question!
Comments (32)
Hi. Two quick grammar questions. There seems to be some disagreement in our office as to the correct way to punctuate these two sentences. Please advise.
Sentence #1: I have seen God frustate plans to keep me from "returning to the wall"! The placement of the exclamation point (whether inside or outside the quotation mark) is our question.
Sentence #2: My first week back was spent acclimating to the time change (since I had to cross 12 time zones!) The placement of the exclamation point (whether inside or outside the parenthesis) is the question.
Thanks for your quick reply - we're putting a newsletter together and we want it to be correct!
Aug 5, 2005 ; 11:42 AM
Hi Anna,
The exclamation point for the first sentence depends on whether the exclamation is contained within the quotation marks or includes the other part of the sentence as well. It looks to me as if the whole sentence is exclamatory, which would put the exclamation point outside the quotation marks as you have it.
For sentence #2, the exclamation is contained with the parentheses, so the exclamation point should be placed inside as well. Follow the closing parenthesis with a period to end the sentence.
Best wishes.
Aug 7, 2005 ; 5:51 PM
Can you use quotation marks inside parentheses? Example: ABC Company, Inc. ("the Company") is located in Dallas, Texas.
Aug 19, 2005 ; 6:15 PM
Gini, it is perfectly acceptable to use quotation marks within parentheses. Go wild!
Aug 19, 2005 ; 7:09 PM
Hi...we are confused about how to use quotes in a list.
Some comments about our workshop:
"This workshop was great" "We loved the workshop" and "I can't wait until the next workshop"
Should these phrases be separated with commas (inside or outside of the quotes) or with colons?
Thanks for your help!
Sep 12, 2005 ; 10:25 AM
Didn't the rules for quotations marks change a few years back? I remember being taught that punctuation was places outside of the quotations marks as a child. I believe I was told that the rules were changed a few years back. Did this take place, and what year?
Thank you,
Maggie
Apr 4, 2006 ; 2:44 PM
Hi Maggie,
I haven't heard of any rule change as far as quotation marks go. I'm pretty sure someone fed you some false information. Besides, there isn't any governing body that determines what the rules of the English language are. Instead, rules develop through tradition, usage, and consensus.
Apr 4, 2006 ; 10:12 PM
I have a question about the floowing sentence and how it should be punctuated: Did you really exceed your sales goal by 40 percent, unbelievable. I am unsure if there should be a question mark at the end or not. Thanks!
May 3, 2006 ; 12:31 PM
Melissa, I would punctuate the sentence this way: Did you really exceed your sales goal by 40 percent? Unbelievable!
May 3, 2006 ; 12:50 PM
A colleague and I are debating whether the period should be inside or outside of the quotation marks in this sentence:
We are now going to show you a website called AOL’s “XYZâ€. This website will open when you click on the link below.
What do you think? I was taught that punctuation should always go inside of quotation marks, but he is saying there is an exception to this rule when referring to a title or something like that...
Thanks in advance,
E
Aug 22, 2006 ; 5:46 PM
Hi Ericka,
If you're writing in the United States or for a predominantly American audience, you should put the period inside the quotation marks. Your sentence should look like this:
We are now going to show you a website called AOL’s “XYZ.â€
Aug 22, 2006 ; 6:17 PM
Is it okay to have a lowercase word following a quoted question that is part of a sentence?
Example (capitalize "and"?):
He asked "Can I have one?" and then took one without waiting for an answer.
Sep 24, 2006 ; 8:49 AM
Hi David,
As far as I know, it is acceptable to have a lower-case letter where you have placed it. Also, a comma would be helpful after "asked."
Sep 26, 2006 ; 11:41 AM
When listing quoted items in a series, should the commas and end mark always appear inside the quotes? Example: This song also uses personification when Furtado describes dreams that die, a son that wonders "if it should stay away", the sky "falling on the clouds", and the rain that "forgot to bring salvation".
Oct 25, 2006 ; 11:48 AM
Hi Karen,
Yes, if you are writing for an American audience, commas and periods should appear inside the quotation marks:
"This song also uses personification when Furtado describes dreams that die, a son that wonders "if it should stay away," the sky "falling on the clouds," and the rain that "forgot to bring salvation."
Keep in mind, though, that other end marks — question marks and exclamation points — have different rules. Please see the entry above for a discussion of those rules and examples.
Oct 25, 2006 ; 12:03 PM
Hi.
I would like to know if the punctuation in the following sentence is correct or not.
“What have you ever done that is good for the community?†I asked him, “Like that prison? What good will that do. I think that this community needs someone to depend on!â€
I have been questioning whether the comma after, 'I asked him,' should be a period or not. This is my main problem.
I really need to know as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Jan 22, 2007 ; 3:58 PM
Is there a period after the citing in this example?
"...but does it not require all to lawfully rescind it?" (Lincoln, 1861). Any contract, even one as....
Feb 3, 2007 ; 7:03 AM
When you use a period after a quote do you start a new paragraph? for example
The rain was very pretty that day.
"My how pretty the rain is today."
She took her hand off the door.
Feb 9, 2007 ; 11:34 PM
Here's a unique quotation mark situation I have no clue about...help!
Here's the example:
I AM A REGULAR LISTENER OF "WAIT, WAIT...DON'T TELL ME!" AND AM WONDERING HOW TO BE A CONTESTANT.
So the show's name actually has an exclamation point. Clearly that goes inside the quotation marks.
My question is, if I put a comma in to separate "I am a regular listener of..." and "and am wondering how to be a contestant" -- where does that comma go? Do I even need it in the first place with the subject of both clauses being "I"?
What if the sentence is:
I'VE NEVER HEARD THE SHOW "WAIT, WAIT...DON'T TELL ME!" THOUGH MY FRIENDS SAY IT'S THE GREATEST.
Do I use a comma there? And if so, again, where does it go?!?
Thanks and sorry to ramble.
Feb 14, 2007 ; 9:13 PM
Why is it so "dead" here?,dont more people want to learn good english?
Cordially Alex
May 24, 2007 ; 11:04 AM
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your interest! I'm afraid the lack of activity here is my fault. I haven't had much time recently to devote to the writing guide, or to the English Rules site in general. I have another blog that has been demanding a lot of my attention, a book that is still in the works, and a wife and kids, not to mention my day job and freelance web development work. In short, I've been a little busy.
May 24, 2007 ; 3:25 PM
Ahh,i see,i was just wondering :),i hope this site will gain more attention in the future :)
Cordially Alex
May 24, 2007 ; 5:56 PM
Does an acronym (or a shortened descriptive word; see example 2) NEED to be placed in quotation marks within parentheses to indicate future usage of the acronym within a document? Or would using just parentheses be sufficient?
Example 1: . . . under the applicable section of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") for employees of . . .
Example 2: . . . description of the XYZ Company 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") is provided for . . .
It is parenthetical, after all. Is additional punctuation necessary?
Thank you.
Aug 9, 2007 ; 9:24 AM
Hi Jill,
I'm afraid I'm not qualified to answer questions that pertain to a particular field (such as accounting, legal, medical). Your best bet is to consult a reputable style guide for your field.
Aug 13, 2007 ; 1:10 PM
What is the reccomended punctuation when a sentence ends with a a quotation, parenthesis and a period?
This happens at so and so time (refer to "random document ").
Dec 4, 2007 ; 12:07 PM
When quoting from one source from one paragraph to a second paragraph, is it necessary to close the quotes in the first paragraph before beginning the second paragraph?
Then, is it necessary to open the second paragraph with quotes if the paragraph is a continuation of the quote from the previous paragraph?
Here is an example:
He answered, kindly, softly,
"My son, please, understand:
The pow'r of resurrection
Doth first a death demand.”
Is that closing quotation mark appropriate at the end of the first paragraph since the quote goes on into the next paragraph?
"I've heard thy prayer for power,
With pow'r I thee equip
Through joining thy heart up with
My Suff'ring's Fellowship."
Is that initial quotation mark appropriate at the beginning of the second paragraph since the quote is a continuation from the first paragraph?
Thanks for your help.
Jan 13, 2008 ; 8:42 AM
In the case of multiple stanzas of poetry (or multiple paragraphs of prose), I recommend using the block-quote format rather than quotation marks.
Jan 13, 2008 ; 2:19 PM
If I have a character in a book that is continuing to speak from one paragraph to the next paragraph, do I omit the quotation marks at the end of the first paragraph but then begin the second paragraph with quotation? I add the closing quotation marks when the character stops speaking?
Feb 22, 2008 ; 4:24 PM
I have a question that's similar to one asked up a bit in the thread . . .I've noticed on Jeopardy! that when they refer to names of books or movies within a clue, they put any following punctuation outside of the quotation marks. So, for example:
The book "To Kill a Mockingbird", written by Harper Lee, depicts blah, blah, blah . . .
I've always been taught to put that comma within the quotations but Jeopardy! seems to do this over and over again so now I'm wondering what's correct.
May 30, 2008 ; 4:11 PM
Just for anyone whose interested the British/Australian term for 'quotation marks' is 'inverted commas'.
Also 'full stop' instead of 'period'.
I've found single commas are common when wirting dialogue and double commas otherwise.
Jun 3, 2008 ; 3:39 AM
Thanks so much for your prompt and thorough reply to my punctuation questions.
- Susan Shorters
Feb 15, 2005 ; 8:18 PM