What are speech marks? Examples and how to use them
In this guide, learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!
Author Eliana Sk
Published April 14, 2022
Author Jane Doe
Learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!
Author Eliana Doe
- Key takeaways
- Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken
- Speech marks look like this: “ ”
- Knowing the difference between direct speech and indirect speech can help us know how to use speech marks
Table of contents
What are speech marks?
Where are speech marks used, how to use speech marks.
From novels to news reports, speech marks are used in all sorts of places! In this guide, we take a look at what they are, where they’re used and some handy rules to keep in mind when using them.
Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken.
They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, and they always appear in pairs at the beginning and end of what was said.
This is what they look like: “ ”
And here’s an example of some speech marks in action:
“The words that appear between speech marks are the exact words that someone has said,” said the teacher.
Unlock unlimited English questions
Put your learning into practice with fun exercises + games that are proven to boost ability!
You can find speech marks everywhere. They’re common in stories, news articles, poetry and essays. By showing when someone is speaking, speech marks can help make a text more lively and easier to read.
In a story, speech marks may show which of the characters is speaking. For example, in a children’s book you may read:
“We always eat in the garden,” said Markus.
In a news article, speech marks can be used to show a statement made by an expert. For example:
Economists say that “the increase in production will help the job market to grow”.
Explore speech marks with DoodleEnglish
DoodleEnglish is an award-winning app that’s filled with thousands of questions and games exploring spelling, grammar and punctuation!
Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, boosting their skills with just 10 minutes of use a day. Try it free!
When do children learn about speech marks?
Children usually start learning about speech marks around the age of 7.
Before they learn about speech marks, they’ll first be taught about other forms of punctuation, including full stops, commas, exclamation marks and question marks.
Being able to tell the difference between direct and indirect speech will help children to effectively use speech marks.
- Direct speech: shows the exact words that were spoken by a person or character. Speech marks are used at the beginning and end of direct speech to represent what someone has said.
- Indirect speech: shows what someone said without using their exact words. Speech marks aren’t used in these cases.
- A reporting clause will let a reader know who said the direct speech and how they said it.
You should always separate direct speech from the reporting clause by a comma.
This may sound a little complicated, but if we look at an example it will all be clearer.
Anne said, “It’s snowing!”
In this example, ‘Anne said’ is the reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Anne who spoke. This clause is separated by a comma from Anne’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s snowing!”).
If you’re writing a conversation between multiple people, reporting clauses can also help to clarify who’s speaking, and when.
Speech mark examples
Let’s take a look at some examples of speech marks in actions. These will help us better understand the different uses of speech marks.
The teacher said that Anthony’s story was “exceptionally written” and that’s why she read it to the whole class.
In this example, a fragmented part of the teacher’s statement is quoted. This is why the statement isn’t capitalised and has no punctuation before or within the quotation marks.
Markus laughed, “Did you see how high I jumped?”
“I know! It was amazing!” Adriana agreed.
In this example, two different people are speaking. The reporting clauses (‘Marcus laughed’ and ‘Adriana agreed’) shows us who is speaking. Each speaker is also placed on a new line to help the reader see that a new person has started speaking.
“It’s amazing,” William exclaimed, “there are bubbles everywhere!”
In this example, the statement made by William is separated by the reporting clause. This is a fun way of adding some character to your writing when using speech marks.
“Polar bears are my favourite real animals,” Mario said. He then told us about the mythical animals he likes more than polar bears.
This is an interesting example because only part of what Mario said is directly written down. The rest is summarised in indirect speech, and this is why there are no speech marks in the second sentence.
How to use speech marks when writing
If you’d like to quote a phrase or statement, using speech marks will show the reader that these aren’t your original words.
Speech marks are also a great way to give emphasis to certain phrases.
If you’re writing stories, they’ll also help to separate when the different characters are talking. Keep in mind that speech is a faster way of moving a story forward, so be careful about how much you use them!
General rules for using speech marks
There are a few helpful rules to keep in mind when using speech marks:
- Sentences made by different characters or people will need to be in separate lines
- If you’re using a person’s full statement, the punctuation of the sentence will need to be within the quotation marks. This includes full stops, exclamation marks, and question marks.
- If a reporting clause is before the speech marks, you’ll need a comma to separate the two. This comma will be before the speech marks.
- If a reporting clause comes in the middle of two quoted sentence parts, you’ll need a comma at the end of the speech marks in the first part and at the beginning of the speech marks in the second part of the sentence
Final thoughts
Using speech marks is relatively easy once you realise they’re only used to express what someone said. When writing an essay or story, speech marks can also help to make your writing more interesting and lively!
To learn even more about speech marks, why not download the DoodleEnglish app ?
It’s filled with interactive exercises exploring the topic, making it the perfect way to put your learning into practice.
Best of all, it’s designed to be used for just 10 minutes a day — and you can try it for absolutely free!
FAQs about speech marks
Speech marks are punctuation marks that show the words someone has spoken. They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas.
If we look at an example: Peter said, “It’s raining!”
‘Peter said’ is a reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Peter who spoke.
This clause is separated by a comma from Peter’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s raining!”).
You should use speech marks each time someone speaks.
Speech marks are also called ‘inverted commas’.
You should use inverted commas whenever someone speaks in your writing.
Single speech marks (‘ ‘) can be used to replace double quotation marks (” “) when they’re inside of double quotation marks.
Try DoodleEnglish for free!
Related posts
Complex sentence guide
Find out what complex sentences are and how to use them
Spelling activities for KS2
There are lots of fun ways you can liven up spelling practice!
What is SPaG? A guide
SPaG is a really important concept in English, but what does it mean?
What we offer
Quick links
All rights reserved.
Are you a parent, teacher or student?
Get started for free!
Maths information pack
We ask for your contact info so we can send our info pack directly to your inbox for your convenience, exam prep information pack, case studies information pack.
Book a chat with our team
I’m new to Doodle
My school is already using Doodle
Information pack
We ask for your contact info so that our education consultants can get in touch with you and let you know a bit more about doodle., student login, which programme would you like to use.
DoodleMaths
DoodleTables
DoodleEnglish
DoodleSpell
If you’d like to use Doodle’s browser version, please visit this page on a desktop.
To log in to Doodle on this device, you can do so through our apps. You can find out how to download them here:
Quotation Marks
1. what are quotation marks.
Quotations marks (“”) are parts of punctuation that we use to identify quotations, direct speech, and to highlight special words and phrases. We also use them for titles of certain things, and to point out dialogue in works of fiction. Sometimes, they are called “quotations” or “speech marks.” Either way, they are a very important type of punctuation!
This article will discuss the way we use quotation marks in American English—but, it’s important to note that in British English and other languages, quotation marks follow different rules.
2. Examples of Quotations Marks
Quotation marks are very useful. Here are some ways you see them every day:
- “I love cookies,” said Sam . Identifying speech
- I think “selfies” are the most popular kind of photo . Highlighting a word
- The music magazine said “air guitar is the next big thing in rock .” Sharing a quotation
- “The Art of Cookies” is my favorite essay . Showing a title
3. Ways to Use Quotation Marks
We use quotation marks for all kinds of things in writing and literature, like sharing quotations, adding emphasis, expressing dialogue, and identifying titles.
a. Quotations
One of the most important ways we use quotations is to “quote” someone’s or something’s words. To quote something means to repeat exactly what was said. For example, we use it to show direct speech, meaning exactly what someone said:
- The policeman said “STOP RIGHT THERE!”
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s began his speech by saying“I have a dream.”
This same idea can also show quotations from pieces of literature, television, radio, and so on:
- The newspaper article stated, “Hurricane Silly is the worst that has been seen in years.”
- The most famous line from Shakespeare’s plays is “To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
b. Highlighting a Word or Phrase
Quotations can help us separate a word or phrase from the rest of a sentence, showing that something has an important meaning, like this:
- The fire department issued a “red alert” in the area for the fast-moving forest fire.
- The hotel room had a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.
Here, “red alert” is in quotations because it highlights specific, important term. Likewise, “Do Not Disturb” shows that the sign had an important message.
Next, quotation marks can show that the word inside the marks has a special meaning besides its normal definition, like slang. The marks tell the reader that the word is being talked about, not used as part of the sentence. This helps share a new or unusual idea that some people might not understand:
- People try to get as many “likes” as possible when they post a photo on Instagram. Taking pictures of yourself “planking” was once a popular social media trend. These days,“selfies” are all that I see on Instagram.
These quotation marks tell us that “likes” is actually a special term for something you can do on Instagram. Without quotation marks, “likes” wouldn’t make sense here. Likewise, “planking” and “selfies” are words used to show a trend.
What’s more, quotation marks are used to apply a normal idea to something new, like this:
- Burger King now has chicken “fries” on their menu.
- Vegetarians often eat “chicken nuggets” made from tofu.
Here, both sets of quotation marks above highlight an idea that we can picture in our heads. Although fries aren’t made from chicken, putting “fries” in quotations shows us that the chicken looks like french fries, not that there are real french fries. Likewise, “chicken nuggets” show that the food is similar to chicken nuggets, but made from soy.
c. Dialogue
Quotation marks can also show dialogue (speaking) of a person or character. It’s different than showing direct quotations, because dialogue shows a conversation that the reader can witness. So, that makes quotation marks very important for fiction. Here’s an example:
- “Where are you going, Sally?” asked Sam. “I have to go to the market to buy flour for my cookies,” she replied. “Well, make sure you get some milk to eat with those cookies!”
Without quotation marks, it would be very difficult to ever know when a character was speaking!
d. For Titles
Finally, another important way we use quotation marks is to show titles of things. Here’s a list of things that should be inside quotation marks:
- Short works like essays, poems, and short stories
- Short plays
- Other works of literature that are shorter than a full book
- Sections from longer works or books (like chapter titles)
- Newspaper, magazine, and online articles
- Episodes of TV
Furthermore, you should NOT use quotation marks for book titles, movie titles, or any longer work that has smaller sections in it—for these things, we use italics or underlining.
4. How to Use Quotation Marks with other Punctuation
When it comes to punctuation, there are a lot of little rules for quotation marks to follow, and it can get confusing. Here are some rules to help you (for American English!):
Periods and commas go INSIDE quotation marks, even when they aren’t part of a direct quote or title:
- The article said “purple hair is stupid,” and I thought that was very rude.
- My favorite song is “Popcorn Pop,” which is from the album Carnival Time.
- The title of the essay is “How to Make Cotton Candy.”
Colons, semicolons, and long dashes go OUTSIDE quotation marks:
- You can hear two instruments in the song “Popcorn Pop”: drums and guitar.
- My friend always said it wasn’t danger to take “selfies”—until she fell down the stairs!
- I used to love the “Hokey Pokey”; it was a big part of my childhood.
Exclamation marks and question marks can be tricky. If one is part of a direct quote or title, then they go inside the quotation marks, like this:
- Sam asked “can I have a cookie?” before they were even finished.
- “You can’t have any cookies!” yelled Sally.
But, if it’s not part of a direct quote, title, or phrase, then the exclamation mark or question mark goes outside of the quotation marks:
- Is your favorite song “Popcorn Pop”?
- I absolutely love the “Hokey Pokey”!
- Did you just take a “selfie”?
As mentioned earlier, the rules for quotation marks are different in different places. For example, in British English, periods and commas go outside of quotation marks, so don’t be surprised if you see that in a work of British literature, or from a British newspaper.
5. How to Avoid Mistakes
Quotation marks are common, and so are mistakes involving them! For instance, they always come in sets—don’t make the mistake of just using one set and forgetting the other!
Actually, the biggest problems come when you use them with other punctuation marks, as outlined in the last section. But, if you use them to single out words or phrases that don’t need them, you can end up with some pretty silly or confusing sentences!
Using quotation marks to add stress or importance to a word is an all too common mistake. People often think they should use it to add stress to a word or make it stand out, like this:
- Employees “must” wash their hands before returning to work.
As you can see, using quotation marks is not a good way to make “must” stand out! In this way, it makes it seem that has a different meaning other than it’s true meaning. That may make people think that they don’t actually need to wash their hands!
When you need to add stress to a word, the best choice is usually to use bold or CAPITAL letters, or underline the words you mean to emphasize, like this:
- Employees MUST wash their hands before returning to work.
Now the meaning of this note is very clear! Here’s another example:
- “Do Not” enter! The meaning here is confusing . DO NOT enter! Clear meaning
Test your Knowledge
a. To show exactly what they/it said
b. To make it clear
c. For emphasis
a. essays, poems and songs
b. people, countries and chapters
c. places, fruits and poems
Related Posts
Punctuation, leave a reply cancel reply.
Your email address will not be published.
You may use these <abbr title="HyperText Markup Language">HTML</abbr> tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>
Understanding Quotation Marks (Rules, When to Use, Single, Double, Examples)
What are quotation marks? Quotation marks are known as quotes, inverted commas, talking marks, and speech marks. Many students of the English language don’t have a complete understanding of where and how to use quotation marks. Moreover, it’s important to know about the different types of quotation marks to use them appropriately when writing.
In this article, we’ll discuss quotation marks and their appropriate grammatical use.
What are quotation marks?
Quotation marks highlight a word, phrase, or sentence that is in some way different from the rest of the text. It could be a quotation from someone or some book, a proverb, maxim, word meaning, name, or anything else that requires special attention from the readers.
We also use quotation marks to ironically talk about something.
Consider the following examples:
- My school canteen serves “delicious” food
- He is a “progressive” in his beliefs
In the above sentences, the words ‘delicious’ and ‘progressive’ are meant to express the opposite of what they mean. The food in the school canteen is actually terrible, and the person’s beliefs aren’t really progressive. We generally need a context to understand when quotation marks are being used ironically.
Different quotation marks are used in different contexts. Let’s learn more about the variations of quotation marks.
Double and single quotation marks
- Double quotation marks: “”
- Single quotation marks: ‘Single’
When to use double quotation marks and when to use single quotation marks? The answer depends largely on which variation of English we are talking about. Single quotes are more common in British and Australian English. On the other hand, double quotation marks are more frequent in American and Canadian English.
When writing for a publication or journal, follow the in-house guidelines on using quotation marks. Some prefer double quotations, while others go for single quotation marks.
Consistency is often more important than the type of quotation mark used. When we primarily use double quotation marks, we don’t throw in single quotation marks for a few words and phrases – and vice versa .
The first time I went to France, I had this dish called “Bœuf bourguignon”. In English, we call it ‘beef Burgundy’. [Wrong]
I was reading ‘Don Quixote’. Sorry to say, but I hardly ‘enjoyed’ it. [Correct]
When unsure about using single or double quotation marks , stick to either and use them consistently.
Quotation marks inside quotation marks
Consider the following example:
- My teacher said, “Focus on ‘verbs’, ‘adjectives’, and ‘pronouns’ for the upcoming test.”
- My teacher said, ‘Focus on “verbs”, “adjectives”, and “pronouns” for the upcoming test.’
Both the above sentences are examples of correctly using quotation marks inside quotation marks. Choose either double or single quotation marks for the main sentence within quotes. As long as the main sentence is in single quotation marks, use double quotation marks for the words and phrases within it – and vice versa.
Be consistent with the use of quotation marks within quotation marks in a piece of writing. When following the [double quotes] (single quotes) [double quotes] template, use it consistently across the writing. Don’t switch to the [single quotes] (double quotes) [single quotes] template in the middle of the writing.
Block quotes
When quoting multiple lines from a person, book, article, or report, the convention is to use block quotes instead of quotation marks. Writing styles like Harvard, APA, MLA, and Chicago APSA have specific rules on using block quotes. Typically, block quotes are indented to the right and follow a colon (:). Here’s an example of using block quotes in writing:
The world is going through a climate crisis , according to experts from around the world. According to the latest Climate Change Report, we have serious issues to tackle in the near future:
There has been a rapid growth in carbon emission rates over the last decade. If governments and industrialists from developed countries don’t take active initiatives in combatting this phenomenon, we can expect serious catastrophes by the year 2050.
By changing the alignment of the text, it becomes clear that this section of article is taken from another source, which is the Climate Change Report in this case. Block quotes are common in books, long-form articles, research papers, and even news reports.
In digital mediums, extracts from other writing/articles would often be italicized. But it’s not mandatory, especially when following the guidelines of a writing style like APA, MLA, or Harvard. Consistency is crucial for block quotes as well.
Using quotation marks as literary tools
Apart from serving as a utility in writing, quotation marks are also literary tools for writers. They are frequently used to highlight ironic remarks.
- My friend took a 2-hour masterclass on making money. Now he’s a “financial expert”.
- Apparently, what we said caused a lot of “pain” and “discomfort”.
- I saw a movie last night and thought it was really “creative”.
In the above sentences, the words and phrases inside the quotation marks express the opposite of what they mean. Irony is a figure of speech where we mean the opposite of what we say.
It’s possible to use irony without quotation marks, but highlighting the ironic words makes it easier for the reader to understand the irony.
Quotation marks also highlight puns. For the uninitiated, a pun is a play on the different possible meanings of the same word.
Here are a few examples of using quotation marks for puns:
- You should trust a person who sells glue. They generally “stick” to their words.
- Though they are both musicians, they fail to strike a “chord”.
- The days in a calendar are “numbered”.
The above three sentences play on the different meanings of the same words – stick, chord, and numbered. We can use quotation marks to highlight the wordplay and grab the readers’ attention.
However, many writers choose to not put their puns and wordplay into quotation marks for the sake of subtlety and flow.
As always, when using quotation marks to highlight puns, use single or double quotation marks consistently throughout the reference (don’t mix and match quotation marks).
Quotation marks for titles of works
We use quotation marks for titles of literary works like poems, short stories, novels, movies, documentaries, etc. There are some conventions regarding how to use quotation marks for literary works. Let’s learn more about it.
Shorter works like poems, short stories, episodes
We generally put shorter literary works inside quotation marks.
- I was reading Keats’ “Ode to a Nightingale” yesterday.
- “The Last Leaf” is an amazing short story by O Henry.
- “The Last One” is the final episode of Friends .
In both of the above examples, we have put smaller pieces of literary works inside quotation marks. “The Last Leaf” is a short story while “Ode to a Nightingale” is a poem. Since these literary works are shorter in length than a novel or movie, the convention is to put these names inside quotation marks.
Longer works like novels, movies, books, documentaries
The convention for mentioning longer literary works is to italicize them. Most modern writing guides like MLA, APA, and Harvard ask writers to italicize longer works.
Here are some examples:
- My favorite movie is Nolan’s Inception.
- Lyrical Ballads is widely considered the most significant collection of romantic poems.
- “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a poem from the Lyrical Ballads .
- I have only read “The Fellowship of the Ring” from Lord of the Rings
Handwritten text
What will you do when you don’t have the option of italicizing the name of a book or movie? For example, how do we write the name of a longer work when writing an exam on a sheet of paper?
In these situations, here are a few things we can do:
- Underline the name of the work. For example, write “Lyrical Ballads is widely considered the most significant collection of romantic poems”.
- Underline the name and also put it inside quotation marks – “Lyrical Ballads” is widely considered the most significant collection of romantic poems.
What if we have to write about both shorter and longer literary works in a handwritten text?
In these cases, use a combination of quotation marks and underline, for example:
- “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a poem from the Lyrical Ballads.
- ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is a poem from the “Lyrical Ballads”.
As always, be consistent with the adopted method. When underlining the names of major works, keep underlining all the names and don’t put them inside quotation marks in some cases. When we are putting the names inside quotation marks and also underlining them, we do the same for every name in a particular text.
Since these guidelines vary from one writing style to another, the best option is to refer to the official writing guide and style that is supposed to be followed.
Punctuation and quotation marks
There’s a lot of confusion regarding how to use punctuation inside quotation marks, particularly regarding where to put the full stop.
When quoting two or more sentences, the full stops will obviously be inside quotation marks.
Here are a few examples:
“My friend is a soldier. He is now serving in Afghanistan.”
“Look! What a beautiful sight!”
The main confusion here is where to put the final full stop – inside our outside quotation marks.
In American English, the full stops are generally inside quotation marks. For example:
“I am going to study.”
“Mary was wearing a beautiful dress.”
In British English, the final full stops are always outside quotation marks.
For example:
“I am going to study”.
“Mary was wearing a beautiful dress”.
When it comes to question and exclamation marks, the position of the punctuation marks depends on the phrase inside the quotation marks.
- She asked, “Do you want to have a cup of coffee?”
- Have you seen “The Wolf of Wall Street”?
- Mary exclaimed, “This can’t be true!”
- John was surprised that she had never heard of “Once upon a Time in Hollywood”!
Remember these basic rules on punctuation marks and quotation marks to never get their usage wrong.
Straight quotes vs. curly quotes
Both straight quotes and curly (smart) quotes are correct.
Straight quotes look like this: “straight quotes”
Curly quotes look like this: “curly quotes”
Curly/smart quotes are automatically added in all modern word processing software. It’s more of an aesthetic element than a grammatical nuance. The important thing here is to be consistent with the type of quotes used in an article. Use either curly or straight quotes throughout the article/writing.
Quotation marks while speaking
Until now, we only discussed the use of quotation marks in writing. But what about speaking — be it a casual conversation or a narration? The answer is simple.
We say one of these two things:
- Quote-unquote
- And I quote
- He is a quote-unquote hardworking person, but in reality, he exploits the vulnerabilities of other people.
- John said, and I quote, the world can only be a better place if we start helping each other.
Sometimes the speaker would say “end of quote” to signify where the quote ends, and sometimes it’s implied.
Other punctuation marks
Here are the other punctuation marks to be aware of:
| . | I this at the fair. | |
| ? | Question mark | How many trucks does he have? |
| ! | Wow! You’re a great rider. | |
| , | I like the movie, but the color grading is odd to . | |
| : | Colon | Here are some ideas for the party: trivia questions, shuffle board, and more. |
| ; | I’ll you once I’m done with work; that’s a promise. | |
| – | I have double-life situations. | |
| – | How long is a China-Russia fight? | |
| — | The dog—and I’m afraid of four-legged animals—was so adorable. | |
| ( ) | Parentheses | His favorite team (Chicago Bulls) has a chance to win the title. |
| [ ] | Square | The AP writer said “[head] of baseball operations was disappointed.” |
| { } | Curly brackets | The colors {orange, green, lilac, blue} are for the garage. |
| < > | Angle brackets | |
| “ ” | Quotation marks | Bryan called it a “great situation.” |
| ‘ | Some of Susan’s clothes are missing. | |
| / | or Virgule | I’m ordering food/dessert/more. |
| … | Ellipses | According to the school the “president… was disappointed.” |
| * | Asterisk | *Data from The Economist |
| & | Tiffany & Co. | |
| • | Bullet point | • Simple • Great • Awesome |
| # | Pound symbol | #1 selling |
| ~ | Tilde | Bryan owns ~10 pairs of shoes. |
| \ | Backslash | |
| @ | At symbol | |
| ^ | Caret symbol | 3^3 = 27 |
| | | Pipe symbol |
The main types of quotation marks are:
- Single quotes: ‘single quotes’
- Double quotes: “double quotes”
- Straight quotes: “straight quotes”
- Curly/smart quotes: “double quotes”
Either say:
- Quote-unquote, for example, John is a quote-unquote cruel person but he has a heart of gold .
- And I quote, for example, John said, and I quote, the world is going through an unprecedented crisis right now.
When typing in a word processor, always italicize the names of books, movies, and other longer literary texts. When writing on a sheet of paper, underline the titles of longer literary works. These conventions also depend on specific citation guides like MLA, APA, and Harvard.
Th double quotes and single quotes ” ” or ‘ ‘ are used at beginning and the end of a direction quotation. For direct quotations, we would typically use double quotes. Use one of the two, according to which type of sentence you have. Although, use the same type throughout your writing.
A closing quotation mark (or final quotation mark) is identified as ”, it has a slight lean to the right side (visually).
- Quotation Marks: When to Use Single or Double Quotes | Scribendi
- Curly quotes and straight quotes: a quick guide – Writer
- Quotation marks in English – Wikipedia
- Quotation Marks “” | Writing | EnglishClub
- Quotation Marks: How To Use Them Correctly (With Examples) | Grammarly
- How to Block Quote | Length, Format and Examples (scribbr.com)
- Examples of Puns: Exploring What They Are and Different Types (yourdictionary.com)
Inside this article
Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.
About the author
Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.
Core lessons
- Abstract Noun
- Accusative Case
- Active Sentence
- Alliteration
- Adjective Clause
- Adjective Phrase
- Adverbial Clause
- Appositive Phrase
- Body Paragraph
- Compound Adjective
- Complex Sentence
- Compound Words
- Compound Predicate
- Common Noun
- Comparative Adjective
- Comparative and Superlative
- Compound Noun
- Compound Subject
- Compound Sentence
- Copular Verb
- Collective Noun
- Colloquialism
- Conciseness
- Conditional
- Concrete Noun
- Conjunction
- Conjugation
- Conditional Sentence
- Comma Splice
- Correlative Conjunction
- Coordinating Conjunction
- Coordinate Adjective
- Cumulative Adjective
- Dative Case
- Declarative Statement
- Direct Object Pronoun
- Direct Object
- Dangling Modifier
- Demonstrative Pronoun
- Demonstrative Adjective
- Direct Characterization
- Definite Article
- Doublespeak
- Equivocation Fallacy
- Future Perfect Progressive
- Future Simple
- Future Perfect Continuous
- Future Perfect
- First Conditional
- Gerund Phrase
- Genitive Case
- Helping Verb
- Irregular Adjective
- Irregular Verb
- Imperative Sentence
- Indefinite Article
- Intransitive Verb
- Introductory Phrase
- Indefinite Pronoun
- Indirect Characterization
- Interrogative Sentence
- Intensive Pronoun
- Inanimate Object
- Indefinite Tense
- Infinitive Phrase
- Interjection
- Intensifier
- Indicative Mood
- Juxtaposition
- Linking Verb
- Misplaced Modifier
- Nominative Case
- Noun Adjective
- Object Pronoun
- Object Complement
- Order of Adjectives
- Parallelism
- Prepositional Phrase
- Past Simple Tense
- Past Continuous Tense
- Past Perfect Tense
- Past Progressive Tense
- Present Simple Tense
- Present Perfect Tense
- Personal Pronoun
- Personification
- Persuasive Writing
- Parallel Structure
- Phrasal Verb
- Predicate Adjective
- Predicate Nominative
- Phonetic Language
- Plural Noun
- Punctuation
- Punctuation Marks
- Preposition
- Preposition of Place
- Parts of Speech
- Possessive Adjective
- Possessive Determiner
- Possessive Case
- Possessive Noun
- Proper Adjective
- Proper Noun
- Present Participle
- Quotation Marks
- Relative Pronoun
- Reflexive Pronoun
- Reciprocal Pronoun
- Subordinating Conjunction
- Simple Future Tense
- Stative Verb
- Subjunctive
- Subject Complement
- Subject of a Sentence
- Sentence Variety
- Second Conditional
- Superlative Adjective
- Slash Symbol
- Topic Sentence
- Types of Nouns
- Types of Sentences
- Uncountable Noun
- Vowels and Consonants
Popular lessons
Stay awhile. Your weekly dose of grammar and English fun.
The world's best online resource for learning English. Understand words, phrases, slang terms, and all other variations of the English language.
- Abbreviations
- Editorial Policy
- Dictionaries home
- American English
- Collocations
- German-English
- Grammar home
- Practical English Usage
- Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
- Word Lists home
- My Word Lists
- Recent additions
- Resources home
- Text Checker
Definition of speech marks noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
- speech marks
- The author's punctuation goes outside the speech marks.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
" I'm coming home late tonight, " she said. (American English) ' I'm coming home late tonight, ' she said. (British English)
If we quote within direct speech, we use the other style for the embedded quotation:
"She said, ' I'm coming home late tonight ', " recalled Jim. (American English) 'She said, " I'm coming home late tonight ", ' recalled Jim. (British English)
As can be seen in the examples above, a comma ( , ) is used at the end of the quotation, before the closing speech mark.
A comma is also used before the quotation if we start the sentence with the reporting clause. In this case the terminal full stop (.) comes before the closing speech mark:
She added , "Don't expect me before 11 . "
If the quotation is a question or exclamation, the terminal marks ( ? and ! ) also come before the closing speech marks:
"Hurry up ! " he shouted. She asked, "Am I late ? "
The quotation normally begins with a capital letter, except if it is interrupted by a reporting clause, in which case the first letter of the continuation is not capitalised:
" I 'm coming home late tonight," she said and added, " d on't expect me before 11."
Rate this page
Related topics.
For timeline diagrams, quotes and exercises, check out our e-book The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar
About | Copyright
Grammaring – A guide to English grammar | Copyright © 2009-2024
Grammar: How To Use Speech Marks Correctly
Written by Dan
Last updated September 20, 2023
Understanding how to use speech marks correctly in reading and writing is an essential grammar skill that can help your students effectively communicate their ideas.
However, mastering the correct usage of these punctuation symbols can be a challenge for some children.
By clearly demonstrating the purpose of speech marks and providing plenty of practice opportunities, you can give your students the confidence to utilize them accurately in all sorts of contexts.
In this blog post, we will discuss what speech marks are, when they should be used, and how to teach effective grammar lessons focusing on their use.
So, if you’re looking for fresh ways to engage students with learning about grammar via speech mark practices then keep reading!
Table of Contents
Understanding Speech Marks
What are speech marks.
Speech marks, also known as quotation marks or inverted commas, are punctuation marks used in pairs to indicate direct speech, a quotation, or a phrase.
They play a key role in guiding the reader through the text by indicating who is speaking or highlighting essential phrases.
Have you ever wondered how you know when a character in a book is speaking? That’s right! It’s because of the speech marks.
The Role and Importance of Speech Marks in Writing and Reading
Speech marks serve a critical function in both writing and reading. In writing, they help to distinguish dialogue from narrative, highlight specific phrases or words for emphasis, and indicate direct quotations from sources.
In reading, they provide visual cues that aid comprehension and interpretation.
Imagine reading a novel without speech marks. It would be challenging to differentiate between the characters’ spoken words and the author’s narrative, wouldn’t it?
Speech marks create clarity and structure, making our reading experience more enjoyable and efficient.
Common Misconceptions About Speech Marks
One common misconception is that speech marks are only used to denote dialogue. While this is one of their primary functions, it is not their sole purpose.
They can also be used to indicate irony, introduce unfamiliar terms or phrases, or signify titles of short works.
Another misconception is that single and double speech marks can be used interchangeably. However, their usage varies based on regional style guidelines.
For instance, American English typically uses double speech marks (” “), while British English often prefers single speech marks (‘ ‘).
When to Use Speech Marks
Scenarios for using speech marks.
Speech marks are not just decorative flourishes in our writing; they have specific functions and should be used appropriately. So, when exactly should we use them?
- Direct Speech : This is the most common scenario for using speech marks. Whenever a character or person is speaking directly, their words should be enclosed within speech marks. For instance: “I’m excited about the upcoming vacation,” she said.
- Quotations : When quoting a phrase or sentence directly from a source, we use speech marks to indicate that these are not our own words. For example: As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
- Titles of Short Works : Speech marks are used to denote the titles of short works like poems , short stories, song titles, and articles. Example: I just read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.
- Words Used Unusually or Sarcasm : When a word is used in an unconventional way or to indicate sarcasm or irony, it is often placed within speech marks. Example: He was so “excited” to clean his room.
Examples Demonstrating Correct Use of Speech Marks
Let’s put this into practice with some examples:
- Direct Speech: John said, “I will pick you up at 8 pm.”
- Quotation: The motivational speaker started his speech with, “As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.'”
- Title: Have you read the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”?
- Sarcasm: Yeah, I really “love” getting stuck in traffic.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with the best intentions, errors can creep into our use of speech marks. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Incorrect Placement of Punctuation : In American English, periods and commas go inside the speech marks, regardless of logic. For instance: “I’m going to the park,” she said. Not “I’m going to the park”, she said.
- Single and Double Speech Marks : Remember, the use of single (‘ ‘) and double (” “) speech marks depends on regional style guidelines. Stick to one style consistently throughout your writing.
- Unnecessary Use of Speech Marks : Speech marks should not be used for emphasis. Instead, use italics or bold. Incorrect: The “best” ice cream in town. Correct: The best ice cream in town.
How to Teach Speech Marks Effectively
The importance of clear demonstrations and practice opportunities.
Teaching speech marks is not just about explaining the rules; it’s about illustrating these rules with clear examples and providing ample practice opportunities.
Why, you ask? Because learning is a process of doing. It’s one thing to understand the theory behind speech marks, but applying that knowledge consistently in writing is what truly ingrains the concept.
To demonstrate the use of speech marks, start by showing students examples from their favorite books or articles. Discuss how the speech marks guide them through who’s speaking or what’s being emphasized.
Then, let them practice by writing dialogues or quoting phrases, and encourage peer reviews for constructive feedback.
Strategies and Tips for Teaching Speech Marks Correctly
- Use Visual Aids : Visual aids like posters or flashcards with speech mark rules can be potent tools. Display them prominently in the classroom or share them online for easy reference.
- Encourage Reading : The more students read, the more they’ll see speech marks in action. This exposure will help them understand and remember when and how to use them.
- Create Sentence Starters : Provide sentence starters that require speech marks, such as “She said, ‘…'” or “‘…,’ he thought.” This will give students a framework to begin practicing.
- Give Regular Feedback : Regular and specific feedback is crucial in helping students improve . Praise correct usage and gently correct mistakes, explaining clearly why changes are necessary.
Innovative Methods to Engage Students in Learning About Speech Marks
Learning doesn’t have to be boring, and teaching speech marks is no exception. Here are some innovative methods to make learning about speech marks fun and engaging:
- Speech Marks Games: Create games where students have to spot errors in the use of speech marks or add them correctly in sentences.
- Worksheets : Worksheets with fill-in-the-blank exercises or sentence correction tasks can provide valuable practice. You can find many such resources online or create your own tailored to your students’ needs.
- Online Resources : Websites like Khan Academy or Grammarly offer interactive lessons and quizzes on speech marks. These platforms turn learning into a fun, game-like experience.
Teaching speech marks effectively requires a balance of clear instruction, ample practice opportunities, and engaging activities.
With these strategies, you’re well on your way to making your students’ journey in mastering speech marks an exciting and rewarding one!
Educators, the baton is now in your hands! You have been equipped with a treasure chest of strategies, tips, and resources to teach speech marks effectively.
Remember, as you navigate this journey, your role is to impart knowledge and inspire curiosity and a love for language in your students.
Take these strategies and mould them to fit your unique classroom environment . Adapt them to cater to your students’ diverse learning styles.
Your dedication to teaching these fundamental aspects of grammar will lay the groundwork for their success in reading and writing.
As we wrap up this discussion on speech marks, let’s not view it as an end but as a stepping stone to broader horizons.
The world of grammar teaching practices is vast and ever-evolving, filled with innovative methods and exciting discoveries.
So, continue exploring, continue learning. Dive into professional development courses, join online teaching communities, or exchange ideas with your fellow educators.
Every step you take in this direction enriches your teaching repertoire and empowers your students in their learning journey.
Remember, every great writer was once a learner; perhaps an educator like you sparked that flame.
So, go ahead, ignite the spark. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next Shakespeare or J.K. Rowling in your classroom!
Keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, keep inspiring. The world needs more educators like you.
Related Posts
- Grammar Explained: ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why, How’
About The Author
I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.
Join our email list to receive the latest updates.
Add your form here
Have a language expert improve your writing
Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.
- Knowledge Base
- Language rules
- When to Use Quotation Marks (“”) | Rules & Examples
When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples
Published on May 21, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield.
Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations.
In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source . This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews . The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.
Whenever you quote someone else’s words, use a signal phrase to introduce it and integrate the source into your own text. Don’t rely on quotations to make your point for you.
Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text
Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes
Table of contents
Single vs. double quotation marks, quotes within quotes, punctuation following quotations, quotation marks for source titles, indirect quotation, scare quotes, frequently asked questions about quotation marks.
There are two types of quotation marks: ‘single’ and “double.” Which one to choose generally depends on whether you are using US or UK English . The US convention is to use double quotation marks, while the UK convention is usually to use single quotation marks.
| US English | UK English |
|---|---|
Double quotation marks can also be acceptable in UK English, provided you are consistent throughout the text. APA Style requires double quotations.
Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting
Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:
- Academic style
- Vague sentences
- Style consistency
See an example
When your quotations are nested (i.e., a quote appears inside another quote), you should use the opposite style of quotation marks for the nested quotation.
| US English | UK English |
|---|---|
US and UK English also differ on where to place punctuation within quotation marks.
- In US English, commas and periods that follow a quote are placed within the quotation marks.
- In UK English, all punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, except when they are part of the original quotation.
| US English | UK English |
|---|---|
In all variants of English, a question mark appears inside the quotation marks when the person quoted was asking a question, but outside when it’s you asking the question.
- Smith asks, “How long can this situation continue?”
- How many participants reported their satisfaction as “high”?
Note that when you include a parenthetical citation after a quote, the punctuation mark always comes after the citation (except with block quotes ).
- Solis described the situation as “precarious” (2022, p. 16).
Some source titles (e.g., the title of a journal article) should be presented in quotation marks in your text. Others are italicized instead (or occasionally written in plain text).
The rules for how to format different source titles are largely the same across citation styles, though some details differ. The key principles apply in all the main styles:
- Use italics for sources that stand alone
- Use quotation marks for sources that are part of another source
Some examples are shown below, with the proper formatting:
- The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory [book]
- “Poststructuralism” [book chapter]
- Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology [journal]
- “What Is Personality Disorder?” [journal article]
- Friends [TV series]
- “The One Where Rachel Quits” [TV episode]
Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services
Discover proofreading & editing
Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said without using exactly the same words they did.
It’s a lot like paraphrasing , except that you’re only changing the words you need to in order to fit the statement into your new sentence grammatically. For example, changing the pronouns or the verb tense .
Indirect quotation is more common in everyday speech, but it can occur in academic writing too. When it does, keep in mind that you should only use quotation marks around words taken directly from the original speaker or author.
- One participant stated that “he found the exercises frustrating.”
- One participant stated that he found the exercises frustrating.
- One participant described the exercises as “frustrating.”
“Scare quotes” are quotation marks used around words that are not a direct quotation from a specific source. They are used to signal that a term is being used in an unusual or ironic way, that it is borrowed from someone else, or that the writer is skeptical about the term.
- Many politicians have blamed recent electoral trends on the rise of “fake news.”
While scare quotes have their uses in academic writing (e.g., when referring to controversial terms), they should only be used with good reason. Inappropriate use of scare quotes creates ambiguity.
- The institution organized a fundraiser in support of “underprivileged children.”
- Scientists argue that “global warming” is accelerating due to greenhouse gas emissions.
- The “Brexit” negotiations are still ongoing.
In these examples, the words within scare quotes are widely accepted terms with clear meanings that can’t be attributed to a specific person or source. Using quotation marks implies skepticism about the concepts in question.
The use of single and double quotation marks when quoting differs between US and UK English . In US English, you must use double quotation marks. Single quotation marks are used for quotes within quotes.
In UK English, it’s most common to use single quotation marks, with double quotation marks for quotes within quotes, although the other way around is acceptable too.
A quote is an exact copy of someone else’s words, usually enclosed in quotation marks and credited to the original author or speaker.
If you’re quoting from a text that paraphrases or summarizes other sources and cites them in parentheses , APA and Chicago both recommend retaining the citations as part of the quote. However, MLA recommends omitting citations within a quote:
- APA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic (Jones, 2015; Sill, 2019; Paulson, 2020) shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).
- MLA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).
Footnote or endnote numbers that appear within quoted text should be omitted in all styles.
If you want to cite an indirect source (one you’ve only seen quoted in another source), either locate the original source or use the phrase “as cited in” in your citation.
Quotes within quotes are punctuated differently to distinguish them from the surrounding quote .
- If you use double quotation marks for quotes, use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
- If you use single quotation marks for quotes (e.g., in UK English ), use double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
Make sure to close both sets of quotes!
Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said (or wrote) but not using their exact words. It’s similar to paraphrasing , but it only involves changing enough words to fit the statement into your sentence grammatically (e.g., changing the tense or the pronouns ).
Since some of the words have changed, indirect quotations are not enclosed in quotation marks .
Sources in this article
We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.
McCombes, S. (2022, November 29). When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/quotation-marks/
Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Is this article helpful?
Shona McCombes
Other students also liked, how to quote | citing quotes in apa, mla & chicago, how to block quote | length, format and examples, what is your plagiarism score.
- Create new account
- Reset your password
Register and get FREE resources and activities
Ready to unlock all our resources?
What are speech marks?
Inverted commas (also known as speech marks and quotation marks ) are punctuation marks that show us where direct speech starts and ends.
Download Fantastic FREE Grammar Resources!
- Perfect Punctuation Workbook
- Grammar Games Pack
- PLUS 100s of other grammar resources
Speech marks are not used if we are writing indirect (reported) speech.
How are speech marks used?
Speech marks or inverted commas are used to show what the words actually spoken by a person or character are. Direct speech is separated from a reporting clause by a comma . For example:
As demonstrated in the example, the words spoken directly ( Although I wish they wouldn't my children fight all the time ) are marked by speech marks. The words spoken have also been separated by a reporting clause ( she sighed ).
When two or more people are having a conversation, a new line for each speaker is used , as this clarifies who is speaking. For example:
How are speech marks taught in the primary classroom?
When speech marks are first introduced in Year 3 , there is a lot of use of drama and reading class texts aloud. Children will identify direct speech within texts they are reading as a class.
In Year 4 there is more focus on multiple speakers.
In Years 5 and 6, children will be taught and expected to use the correct punctuation for speech, with multiple speakers and reporting clauses breaking up the direct speech.
When are speech marks taught in the primary-school classroom?
Inverted commas are first taught in Lower Key Stage 2, in Year 3. As punctuating direct speech is a fundamental primary-school writing objective , the use of speech marks will be reinforced in every subsequent year group.
In Year 3, teachers will focus more on simply punctuating the spoken words with inverted commas to indicate the specific words that have been spoken. In Year 4, this progresses onto using commas to separate the reported clause from the direct speech, and then using other forms of punctuation other than full stops within the inverted commas. For example:
In Years 3 and 4, children learn that the reporting clause can be positioned before or after the direct speech in the sentence.
During the SATs Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation test taken at the end of Year 6, children are also likely to be asked a question about inverted commas and/or the correct punctuation needed to show speech. For example:
By the end of Year 6, when a child’s writing is assessed, they will be expected to use speech to move the action in their stories forward and to punctuate correctly.
Give your child a headstart
- FREE articles & expert information
- FREE resources & activities
- FREE homework help
More like this
The Editor’s Manual
Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.
- Punctuation |
- Quotation marks
Four Uses of Quotation Marks
Place quotation marks (or inverted commas) around direct speech or a quotation. Quotes may also enclose a word or a phrase used ironically or in some special sense other than its usual meaning. Also use quotes to enclose words used as themselves instead of functionally in a sentence. Quotation marks set off titles of shorter works that appear within a larger work (e.g., the title of a chapter, article, or poem).
Direct speech and quoted text
Use quotation marks (also known as inverted commas or quotes) to enclose the exact words of another person’s speech or text . Quotation marks always appear in pairs: use an opening quotation mark to indicate the start of quoted text and a closing quotation mark to indicate its end.
- Maya said, “We need more time.”
- Dash replied, “You always have a choice.”
- Nemo predicts that the travel sector will grow by 20% this year. “We are already seeing overcrowded airports and full occupancy at hotels.”
- “Where were you?” “At the park.”
- “Stop!” he cried.
- “I’m going to bake a cake,” said Lulu.
- “Are you still there?” she typed.
- She felt “a sudden, sharp pain” in her side.
- A witness described it as “the loudest bang” and said she thought “the world was ending.”
Prefer to use smart or curly quotes over straight quotes in formal writing. Smart quotes are directional: the opening and closing quotation marks look different from each other, curving inward towards the quotation instead of being identical and unidirectional (“. . . ” instead of ". . . "). The HTML character codes for smart quotes are “ and ” with Unicode values “ and ” . Microsoft Word has a checkbox you can select to make sure your documents display smart instead of straight quotes.
Commas surrounding a quotation
Use a comma after verbs like said , wrote , replied , and asked when they introduce a quote that is a complete sentence .
- Maya said, “I hope the train is on time.”
- Farley asked, “Do you sell pumpkins?”
- In a diary entry she wrote, “I now know why I’m here.”
- Lulu replied, “None of them has the answer.”
The explanatory text may appear after the quote, in which case the quote ends in a comma .
- “I hope the train is on time,” said Maya.
- “I now know why I’m here,” she wrote.
- “ None of them has the answer,” replied Lulu.
If the quote ends in a question mark or exclamation point , don’t use a comma.
- “Where have all the bees gone?” he asked.
- “Run!” she cried.
- “And then he was gone!” she wrote.
- He asked, “Where are all the butterflies?”
If the explanatory text divides the quote into two parts, use commas both before and after.
- “None of them,” she said, “has the answer.”
Don’t use commas if the quote appears in the flow of the surrounding sentence and cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.
- They call it “the song of the birds.”
- She said it sent “a shiver right through her toes” to see him on TV.
Running quotations
Running quotations are those that span paragraphs. If a quote starts in one paragraph and continues into another, place an opening quotation mark at the start of each paragraph but a closing quotation mark only at the end of the final one. This indicates to the reader that it’s the same speaker or writer across paragraphs, whose quotation ends only at the end of the final paragraph.
- Dash said: “Paragraph 1. “Paragraph 2. “Paragraph 3. “Final paragraph.”
- She replied, “I don’t have any money. “I never have any money . Any money I have, I spend it. You know that.”
Scare quotes
Enclose a word or a phrase in quotation marks or “ scare quotes ” to indicate that it is being used ironically or in a nonstandard way (conveying a meaning other than the usual).
- She said she was going to “call the doctor.”
- That was some “meeting.” All he did was yell.
- She said she likes “classical” literature and then quoted Dan Brown.
Be careful not to overuse scare quotes. In particular, don’t enclose a word or a phrase in quotes simply to emphasize it (use formatting options like italic instead).
Don’t enclose standard idioms or slang in scare quotes.
- Incorrect: It’s time we gave him “a taste of his own medicine.” “A taste of someone’s own medicine” is a standard idiom in English with a defined meaning. Correct: It’s time we gave him a taste of his own medicine.
Words as words
To refer to a word or a term as itself in a sentence rather than using it functionally, you can enclose it in quotation marks.
- “I” and “ me ” are both pronouns. The words “I” and “me” are not used functionally as pronouns , but are referred to as themselves, which is why they are enclosed in quotation marks.
- I used to think the word “bell” was onomatopoeic.
- How do you spell “onomatopoeic”?
Italics are preferred over quotation marks in formal writing to refer to a term (a letter, word, or phrase ) used as itself in a sentence. Use quotes instead if doing so helps improve readability or clarity, or in media where italics are not easily available (chat messages, posts on social media such as tweets).
- There’s no “I” in “team.” There’s no “J” either.
- Sartre speaks of en soi , or “being-in-itself,” which is the self-contained existence of objects.
Titles of works
Titles of larger works are generally italicized (such as names of books, movies, journals, and magazines), but titles of shorter works that appear within a larger work are enclosed in quotation marks. For example, the title of a short story that appears within an anthology is enclosed in quotes, while the title of the larger anthology itself is italicized. Similarly, the title of a song is enclosed in quotation marks, while the name of a music album is italicized. Titles of articles are enclosed in quotation marks, while names of periodicals are italicized.
- Her short story, “Cat Person,” was published in the New Yorker in 2017.
- “Fade into You” is probably their most famous song.
- Refer to Chapter 4, “Why Humans Talk.”
Titles of larger works (like names of books and movies) may also be enclosed in quotation marks in media where the use of italics is uncommon or impossible (e.g., chat messages, social media).
- Did you know “The Silence” is a remake of a 1963 film?
- One of his books that affected me deeply as a child is “Insomnia.”
Capitalization
Capitalize a quote that is a full sentence introduced by verbs like said and wrote or phrases like as she said or according to .
- As Dash once said, “There is no life without hope.”
- She wrote, “There is no life without hope. To live is to hope.”
- According to Dash, “There is no life without hope.”
- Minerva replied, “My childhood was a time full of hope.”
Don’t capitalize a quotation that appears within the flow of a larger sentence.
- She once said that “ there is no life without hope.”
- She described her childhood as “ a time full of hope.”
Don’t capitalize the second part of a quote that is interrupted by an explanatory phrase.
- “My childhood,” she said, “ was a time full of hope.”
A quotation of one or more full sentences may also be introduced using a colon in formal text. It is then capitalized .
- Dash said: “There is no life without hope. To live is to hope.”
Quotes within quotes: Single and double quotes
Use single within double quotes to show quotes within quotes —to enclose in quotes a word or a phrase that appears within material already enclosed in quotation marks.
- Leonard’s latest article, “Bacteria and Fungi Can ‘Walk’ across the Surface of Our Teeth,” may make you want to rinse your mouth out every five minutes.
In British academic and creative writing, single quotes are the default , with double quotes reserved for quotes within quotes, as recommended by the New Oxford Style Manual (the style manual of the Oxford University Press). In British news copy however, double quotes are generally the default, as in American style.
Most U.S. style guides , like the Chicago Manual of Style , APA Publication Manual , AP Stylebook , and MLA Handbook , recommend enclosing quotations in double quotes, with single quotation marks reserved for quotes within quotes.
Periods and commas with quotation marks
In American writing, periods and commas always appear inside closing quotation marks .
- “My mother,” she said, “could get quite angry.”
- Use “I,” not “me,” as the subject of a sentence.
- We decimate our forests, pollute our waters, poison our air, and call it “progress.”
- I’m sure Poco, the “expert,” will be happy to advise us.
In British writing, a period or a comma precedes a closing quotation mark only if it part of the quoted text. If it is meant to punctuate the surrounding sentence instead, the comma appears after the closing quotation mark.
- ‘My mother’, she said, ‘could get quite angry.’ The commas punctuate the larger sentence and appear outside quotes. The period ends the quotation and therefore appears inside. Don’t use another period to end the sentence. Also note the use of single instead of double quotation marks in British style.
- Use ‘I’, not ‘me’, as the subject of a sentence.
- We cut down trees, pollute our waters, poison our air, and call it ‘progress’.
- I’m sure Poco, the ‘expert’, will be happy to advise us.
Other punctuation with quotation marks
Other punctuation marks, like question marks and exclamation points, precede a closing quotation mark if they belong to the quoted content. If they belong to the surrounding sentence, they appear after the closing quotation mark.
- She asked, “Where were you?”
- He cried, “It can’t be!”
- Did he just say, “I don’t want your money”?
- What do you mean by the word “truth”?
- She calls it “truth”!
Share this article
Use a comma after verbs like said when they introduce a quote that is a complete sentence.
Don’t use a comma before quoted text that is not a full sentence but appears in the flow of a larger sentence.
Capitalize a quote that is a complete sentence.
Don’t unnecessarily capitalize quoted text that is not a full sentence.
Enclose titles of shorter works (like poems) in quotation marks.
In U.S. style, double quotation marks are the primary choice, with single quotation reserved for quotes within quotes.
Periods always go inside closing quotation marks in American writing.
Quotation Marks for Sarcasm
Using quotation marks for sarcasm.
Examples of Quotation Marks for Sarcasm
Examples of Quotation Marks Meaning "Not Literally"
Just say it once.
Don't Use Quotation Marks for Emphasis
This page was written by Craig Shrives .
You might also like...
Help us improve....
Was something wrong with this page?
Use #gm to find us quicker .
Create a QR code for this, or any, page.
mailing list
grammar forum
teachers' zone
Confirmatory test.
This test is printable and sendable
expand to full page
show as slides
download as .doc
print as handout
send as homework
display QR code
Samantha Bee Rips Dems' Post-Debate Move As 'Pathetic' And 'Mean'
Reporter, HuffPost
Samantha Bee slammed Democrats attempting to spin away President Joe Biden ’s disastrous debate performance in the latest issue of her email newsletter, “ Plan Bee .”
The former host of TBS’ “Full Frontal” described watching Biden’s head-to-head with former president and now-presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump “in a state of horror, sadness, and frankly anger.”
Subsequent Democratic portrayals of Biden as actually “fine” infuriated her, she explained.
Bee wrote, “Obviously I am a democratic voter. If that is not obvious to you then I do not even know. But HOO BOY do I LOATHE being made aware of the size and scope of the democratic party machine. I saw what I saw. Do not ask me to wipe my brain clean with a neuralizer and tell me everything is fine.”
“This is pathetic. It is mean,” she continued. “It is the HEIGHT of arrogance to tell us that what we all saw with our own eyes is false. We aren’t stupid.”
Biden should step aside but likely won’t, predicted Bee.
“Of COURSE whatever happens I am voting straight Democrat, don’t be ridiculous,” she added. “I’d literally vote for a greasy pizza plate over Donald Trump. I’d vote for a herpes riddled pigeon. Frankly, I’d vote NOT to have a president for a while over Donald Trump.”
Bee’s TBS show was canceled in 2022 after seven seasons. She routinely ripped Trump and his administration during blistering monologues and in 2018 drew the ire of then-President Trump himself after she called his daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump a “ feckless cunt .”
Read Bee’s full essay here.
From Our Partner
More in politics.
Exclusive: Trump handed plan to halt US military aid to Kyiv unless it talks peace with Moscow
- Medium Text
NATO MEMBERSHIP ON HOLD
Sign up here.
Reporting by Gram Slattery and Simon Lewis, and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; editing by Michelle Nichols, Kieran Murray, Ross Colvin and Cynthia Osterman
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab
Thomson Reuters
Washington-based correspondent covering campaigns and Congress. Previously posted in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, Chile, and has reported extensively throughout Latin America. Co-winner of the 2021 Reuters Journalist of the Year Award in the business coverage category for a series on corruption and fraud in the oil industry. He was born in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard College.
World Chevron
Brazil says G20 sherpas to avoid thorny issues at prep meetings
G20 diplomats have agreed to avoid prickly geopolitical issues during their ministerial meetings preparing for the summit of the world's largest economies in November, host Brazil's sherpa said on Friday.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
These will help us better understand the different uses of speech marks. Example 1. The teacher said that Anthony's story was "exceptionally written" and that's why she read it to the whole class. In this example, a fragmented part of the teacher's statement is quoted.
Direct speech gives the actual words that a speaker used. It is common in novels and other writing where the actual words of a speaker are quoted. The words spoken are enclosed in single or double quotation marks.
Quotation marks are also known as "speech marks," "quotes," and "inverted commas." Examples of Quotation Marks in Sentences ... To show that a word refers to the word itself not the word's meaning. Is "data" plural? In the US, "dependent" is used for both the adjective and the noun. In the UK, "dependant" is a noun, and "dependent" is an ...
In English writing, quotation marks or inverted commas, also known informally as quotes, talking marks, speech marks, quote marks, quotemarks or speechmarks, are punctuation marks placed on either side of a word or phrase in order to identify it as a quotation, direct speech or a literal title or name. Quotation marks may be used to indicate that the meaning of the word or phrase they surround ...
Definition of Speech Marks. Speech marks exist in two forms: single (') and double ("). The choice to use single or double quotation marks often depends on the style guide or regional conventions. Both styles are widely accepted as correct but should be kept consistent throughout a piece of writing. Individual schools will often have a ...
Quotations marks ("") are parts of punctuation that we use to identify quotations, direct speech, and to highlight special words and phrases. We also use them for titles of certain things, and to point out dialogue in works of fiction. Sometimes, they are called "quotations" or "speech marks.". Either way, they are a very important ...
In the above sentences, the words and phrases inside the quotation marks express the opposite of what they mean. Irony is a figure of speech where we mean the opposite of what we say. It's possible to use irony without quotation marks, but highlighting the ironic words makes it easier for the reader to understand the irony.
What Are Quotation Marks? - Meaning and Definition. Quotation marks, also called speech marks, are one of the punctuation marks in English which can be used to quote the exact words of the speaker in a sentence and also to indicate names, titles and so on. The Oxford Learner's Dictionary defines 'quotation marks' as "a pair of marks (' ') or ( " " ) placed around a word ...
Single quotation marks are also known as 'quote marks', 'quotes', 'speech marks' or 'inverted commas'. Use them to: show direct speech and the quoted work of other writers. enclose the title of certain works. draw attention to a word you're defining. Double quotation marks aren't Australian Government style. Use them only ...
a pair of marks (' ') or ( " " ) placed around a word, sentence, etc. to show that it is what somebody said or wrote, that it is a title or that you are using it in an unusual way. The author's punctuation goes outside the speech marks.
Punctuation in direct speech. We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English: "I'm coming home late tonight," she said. (American English) 'I'm coming home late tonight,' she said.
This exposure will help them understand and remember when and how to use them. Create Sentence Starters: Provide sentence starters that require speech marks, such as "She said, '…'" or "'…,' he thought.". This will give students a framework to begin practicing. Give Regular Feedback: Regular and specific feedback is crucial in ...
1) The spoken words should be surrounded by speech marks/inverted commas. 2) Each section of direct speech should end with a punctuation mark that's inside the speech marks. For example,"Bonjour! " said Anna, cheerfully. In this case, the exclamation mark is used to end the spoken sentence, so it needs to go inside the speech marks.
Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield. Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations. In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source. This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews.
Is someone speaking in your writing? Are you citing a book or a film? Then we see quotation marks in your future. Learn how to use them correctly in your writing here.
Direct speech is any speech spoken directly by a person or character. For example: "I'm tired!" Lauren complained. Direct speech can be the most complicated type of speech to punctuate because of the placement of the speech marks and punctuation in each sentence. The main rules for punctuating direct speech are: The spoken words should be ...
When speech marks are first introduced in Year 3, there is a lot of use of drama and reading class texts aloud.Children will identify direct speech within texts they are reading as a class. In Year 4 there is more focus on multiple speakers. In Years 5 and 6, children will be taught and expected to use the correct punctuation for speech, with multiple speakers and reporting clauses breaking up ...
Quotation marks [A] are punctuation marks used in pairs in various writing systems to identify direct speech, a quotation, or a phrase. The pair consists of an opening quotation mark and a closing quotation mark, which may or may not be the same glyph. [3] Quotation marks have a variety of forms in different languages and in different media.
Definition of Speech Marks. Speech marks exist in two forms: single (') and double ("). The choice to use single or double quotation marks often depends on the style guide or regional conventions. Both styles are widely accepted as correct but should be kept consistent throughout a piece of writing. Individual schools will often have a ...
Use quotation marks (also known as inverted commas or quotes) to enclose the exact words of another person's speech or text. Quotation marks always appear in pairs: use an opening quotation mark to indicate the start of quoted text and a closing quotation mark to indicate its end. Maya said, "We need more time.".
Use #gm to find us quicker. Create a QR code for this, or any, page. Quotation marks can be used to signify sarcasm. More specifically, they are used to mean 'alleged' or 'so-called' or to show that a word is not being used in its literal sense. When quotation marks are used like this, they are known as scare quotation marks.
The former host of TBS' "Full Frontal" described watching Biden's head-to-head with former president and now-presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump "in a state of horror, sadness, and frankly anger." Bee wrote, "Obviously I am a democratic voter. If that is not obvious to you then I do ...
Washington-based correspondent covering campaigns and Congress. Previously posted in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, Chile, and has reported extensively throughout Latin America.