

"When I say 'immediately,' I mean sometime before August," said the manager.If you use double quote signs, you should use single quotation signs for a quote within a quote. If you use single quote marks, you should use double speech marks for a quote within a quote. Should I Use Single or Double Apostrophes for Quotes within Quotes?įirst things first: Decide whether you will use double or single apostrophes for the initial quote. The most important rule when using these little punctuation marks is that the style of the opening and closing speech marks match. In Butcher's Copy-editing, Judith Butcher points out that some writers have their own systems of speech marks, e.g., double apostrophe marks for speech and single quote signs for thoughts. However, sometimes a publisher's or an author's style may take precedence over such general preferences. If you're writing in North America, double quote marks are typically used. In British and Australian English, one typically uses single quotes. The short answer is that it depends on the country that you are writing in. However, there's no need to be embarrassed-these upside-down commas sometimes confuse even the most seasoned writers! How Do I Know If I Should Use Single or Double Quotes? King Lear refers to his daughter Goneril as a “detested kite” and as “wolvish” (1.4.253, 259).įor more information on quotations, refer to Using Sources and Quotations.Quote marks can be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with their English grammar and punctuation rules. King Lear refers to his daughter Goneril as a “detested kite” and as “.wolvish” (1.4.253, 259). Do not place any mark of punctuation inside the quotation marks at the beginning of a quoted phrase, and do not use an ellipsis(.) at the beginning of the quotation. The period after the citation ends the sentence.Ĥ. The quotation is not a question the question mark goes outside the quotation to indicate that the whole sentence is the question.Ĭ) There is great pathos in King Lear’s cry, “O reason not the need!” (2.4.259).Īn exclamation point within the quotation is followed by quotation marks, then by a parenthetical citation. The first quotation is a question the question mark is part of it.ī) What is the meaning of the expression “eschew obfuscation”? Otherwise it is placed outside the quotation marks.Ī) “How do I love thee?” asks the sonnet. A question mark, exclamation point, or dash is placed within the quotation marks when it is part of the quoted material. B says that Pamela “may be thawed by kindness” (180).ģ. B says that Pamela “may be thawed by kindness ” (180).Įven though the semicolon is present in the sentence quoted, it should not be in the quotation.Ĭorrect: Mr. Roberts (137) mentions “the divine right of kings” the phrase did not become current in English until the late seventeenth century. A colon or semicolon is placed outside the quotation marks (regardless of whether or not it exists in the quoted material). Carr has written, “The serious historian is the one who recognizes the historically conditioned character of all values, not the one who claims for his own values an objectivity beyond history.” 1Ģ. Check with your instructor if you are uncertain which to use.Ĭ) As E. However, some instructors still prefer Roman numerals. Note: The MLA Handbook recommends the use of Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals for designating acts and scenes in plays. If a superscript footnote number is used, it follows the period and the quotation marks.Ī) The Portland vase is “blue porcelain,” according to Compson (435).Ĭomma is within the quotation marks the period follows the citation.ī) Macbeth says, “Life's but a walking shadow” (5.5.24).Ĭitation follows the quotation marks period follows the citation. If a citation in parentheses follows the quotation, the period follows the citation. The final period or comma goes inside the quotation marks, even if it is not a part of the quoted material, unless the quotation is followed by a citation. Also make sure that you place quotation marks correctly with respect to other punctuation marks and with citations.ġ. She knows she is no longer safe: “I feared for my Safety in this wicked House” (28). If a complete sentence or independent clause precedes the quotation, a colon is the appropriate mark of punctuation. She knows she is no longer safe, saying, “I feared for my Safety in this wicked House” (28).ģ. If the quotation is preceded by a form of a word like say, reply, or answer, that word is followed by a comma.

Roosevelt spoke of December 7, 1941, as “a day that will live in infamy.”Ģ. When the quotation is merged into a clause, no punctuation is necessary to divide them.
How to insert a citation after a shortened quote.com how to#
In order to determine how to punctuate the phrase that comes before a quotation, you need to know whether the phase is an independent clause. Quotations must have appropriate punctuation.
