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{{short description|Usage of punctuation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Punctuation marks |“ ” |Double quotes (curly) |variant-size=400% |variant1=‘ ’ |caption1=Single quotes (curly) |variant2=" " |caption2=Typewriter double quotes |variant3=' ' |caption3=Typewriter single quotes}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2021}}<!-- see talk and WP:RETAIN, WP:ARTCON -->
{{Infobox punctuation mark|mark=“&nbsp;” |name=Double typographic quotes|variant-size=400% |
variant1=‘&nbsp;’ |caption1=Single typographic quotes |variant2="&nbsp;"
|caption2=Neutral double quotes |variant3='&nbsp;' |caption3=Neutral single quotes}}


In English writing, ''']''' or '''inverted commas''', also known informally as '''quotes''' or '''speech marks'''<ref>Barber, 2004.</ref> or as '''quote marks''', '''quotemarks''' or '''speechmarks''', are ] placed on either side of a word or phrase in order to identify it as a ], ] or a ] title or name. They are also used to indicate that the meaning of the word or phrase they surround should be taken to be different from (or, at least, a modification of) that typically associated with it (e.g. in the sentence ''the elite, composed by people of mixed ancestry, embraced their "whiteness"'' – the quotation marks modify the word ''whiteness'' to pertain to European culture rather than the color white); in this way, they are often used to express ]. They also sometimes appear to be used as a means of adding emphasis, although this usage is usually considered incorrect.<ref name="ucalgary">English Department, 1999.</ref><ref name="LanguageLog">{{cite web|last=Zwicky |first=Arnold |url=http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/002796.html |title=Language Log: Dubious quotation marks |publisher=Itre.cis.upenn.edu |date=2006-01-29 |accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref> In ] writing, ]s or inverted commas, also known informally as quotes, talking marks,<ref>{{cite book |last=Lunsford |first=Susan |title=100 skill-building lessons using 10 favorite books : a teacher's treasury of irresistible lessons & activities that help children meet learning goals in reading, writing, math and more |date=December 2001 |page=10 |publisher=Scholastic |isbn=0439205794}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hayes |first=Andrea |title=Language Toolkit for New Zealand 2, Volume 2 |date=April 2011 |page=17 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1107624702}}</ref> speech marks,<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Barber |editor-first=Katherine |title=] |edition=2nd |date=2005 |publisher=] |isbn=0-19-541816-6}}</ref> quote marks, quotemarks or speechmarks, are ] placed on either side of a word or phrase in order to identify it as a ], ] or a ] title or name. Quotation marks may be used to indicate that the meaning of the word or phrase they surround should be taken to be different from (or, at least, a modification of) that typically associated with it, and are often used in this way to express ] (for example, in the sentence 'The lunch lady plopped a glob of "food" onto my tray.' the quotation marks around the word ''food'' show it is being called that ironically). They are also sometimes used to emphasise a word or phrase, although this is usually considered incorrect. <ref>{{cite book |author=Jeremy Butterfield |date=2015 |title=Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage |publisher=] |page=680 |isbn=978-0-19-966135-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AvmzBgAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref name="LanguageLog">{{cite web |last=Zwicky |first=Arnold |url=http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/002796.html |title=Dubious Quotation Marks |website=itre.cis.upenn.edu |date=29 January 2006 |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref>


Quotation marks are written as a pair of opening and closing marks in either of two styles: {{nowrap|single (‘…’)}} or {{nowrap|double (“…”)}}. Opening and closing quotation marks may be identical in form (called neutral, vertical, straight, typewriter, or ] quotation marks), or may be distinctly left-handed and right-handed (typographic or, colloquially, curly quotation marks); see ] for details. Typographic quotation marks are usually used in ] and ] text. Because typewriter and computer keyboards lack keys to directly enter typographic quotation marks, much typed writing has neutral quotation marks. The "smart quotes" feature in some computer software can convert neutral quotation marks to typographic ones, but sometimes imperfectly. Quotation marks are written as a pair of opening and closing marks in either of two styles: {{nowrap|single (‘...’)}} or {{nowrap|double (“...”)}}. Opening and closing quotation marks may be identical in form (called neutral, vertical, straight, typewriter, or "]" quotation marks), or may be distinctly left-handed and right-handed (typographic or, colloquially, curly quotation marks); {{crossref|see {{section link|Quotation mark#Summary table}} for details}}. Typographic quotation marks are usually used in ] and ] text. Because typewriter and computer keyboards lack keys to directly enter typographic quotation marks, much of typed writing has neutral quotation marks. Some computer software has the feature often called "smart quotes" which can, sometimes imperfectly, convert neutral quotation marks to typographic ones.


The typographic closing double quotation mark and the neutral double quotation mark are similar to{{snd}} and sometimes stand in for{{snd}} the ] and the ]. Likewise, the typographic opening single quotation mark is sometimes used to represent the ] while either the typographic closing single quotation mark or the neutral single quotation mark may represent the ]. Characters with different meanings are typically given different visual appearance in typefaces that recognize these distinctions, and they each have different ]. Despite being semantically different, the typographic closing single quotation mark and the typographic ] have the same visual appearance and code point (U+2019), as do the neutral single quote and typewriter apostrophe (U+0027).<ref> '']'' (17th ed.). Part 2, Chapter 6.117. Retrieved 3 January 2019. Subscription required (free trial available).</ref> (Despite the different code points, the curved and straight versions are sometimes considered multiple ]s of the same character.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pubcom.com/blog/2013_12-03/unicode-accessibility.html#solution2|last=Chagnon|first=Bevi|title=Fonts, Typography, and Accessibility|date=December 2013|access-date=3 January 2019}}</ref>
The closing single quotation mark is identical or similar in form to the ] and similar to the ] symbol. However, these three characters have quite different purposes. The double quotation mark is similar to—and often used to represent—the ] and the ] symbol.


==History== == History ==
In the first centuries of ], quotations were distinguished merely by indicating the speaker, and this can still be seen in some editions of the ]. During the ], quotations were distinguished by setting in a ] contrasting with the main body text (often ] with ], or the other way around). Long quotations were also set this way, at full size and full measure.<ref name=typehist>Bringhurst (2002), p 86.</ref> In the first centuries of ], quotations were distinguished merely by indicating the speaker, and this can still be seen in some editions of the ]. During the ], quotations were distinguished by setting in a ] contrasting with the main body text (often ] with ], or the other way around). Long quotations were also set this way, at full size and full measure.<ref name=typehist>{{cite book |last=Bringhurst |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Bringhurst |date=2002 |title=] |version=ver. 2.5 |location=Point Roberts, Washington |publisher=Hartley & Marks |isbn=978-0-88179-132-7 |page= }}</ref>


Quotation marks were first cut in metal type during the middle of the sixteenth century, and were used copiously by some printers by the seventeenth. In some ] and ] books, they would be repeated at the beginning of every line of a long quotation. When this practice was abandoned, the empty margin remained, leaving the modern form of indented ].<ref name="typehist" /> Quotation marks were first cut in metal type during the middle of the sixteenth century, and were used copiously by some printers by the seventeenth. In some ] and ] books, they would be repeated at the beginning of every line of a long quotation. When this practice was abandoned, the empty margin remained, leaving the modern form of indented ].<ref name="typehist" />


In ], quotation marks were used to denote pithy comments. They were used to quote direct speech as early as the late sixteenth century, and this practice became more common over time.<ref>Higgins, John. ''Mirror for Magistrates'', 1587, fol. 2v. Truss, Lynne. ''Eats, Shoots &amp; Leaves'', 2003. p. 151. ISBN 1-59240-087-6.</ref> In ], quotation marks were used to denote pithy comments. They were used to quote direct speech as early as the late sixteenth century, and this practice became more common over time.<ref>{{cite book |last=Higgins |first=John |title=The Mirror for Magistrates |date=1587}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Truss |first=Lynne |title=Eats, Shoots & Leaves |date=2003 |page=151 |isbn=1-59240-087-6}}</ref>


==Usage== == Usage ==


===Quotations and speech=== === Quotations and speech ===
Single or double quotation marks denote either speech or a quotation. Double quotes are preferred in the United States, and also tend to be preferred in Australia<ref>{{cite web | url=https://davidbrewsterwriter.com/blog/2014/8/19/quote-me-on-this-using-single-and-double-quotation-marks?format=amp | title=Quote me on this: Using single and double quotation marks }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/resources/view/resource/6/ | title=Punctuation Guide &#124; Macquarie Dictionary | date=25 October 2023 }}</ref> (though the Australian Government prefers single quotes)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australian Government |date=24 October 2022 |title=Quotation marks |url=https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/punctuation/quotation-marks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323014522/https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/punctuation/quotation-marks |archive-date=23 March 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=Australian Government Style Manual}}</ref> and Canada. Single quotes are more usual in the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa, though double quotes are also common there, especially in {{Clarify|text=journalistic works|date=May 2023}}.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Penguin Guide to Punctuation |last=Trask |first=R. L. |author-link=Larry Trask |page=94 |isbn=9780140513660 |date=1997|publisher=Penguin Books }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Peters |first=Pam |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/73994040 |title=The Cambridge guide to Australian English usage |date=2007 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-521-87821-0 |edition=2nd |location=Melbourne |oclc=73994040 |page= 670}}</ref> In New Zealand, both styles are used.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.clearlingo.co.nz/blog/new-zealand-english-single-or-double-quote-marks | title=New Zealand English: Single or Double Quotation Marks }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/content-design-guidance/grammar-and-punctuation/ | title=Grammar and punctuation }}</ref>
Single or double quotation marks denote either speech or a quotation. Double quotes are preferred in the United States, and also tend to be preferred in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Single quotes are more usual in the United Kingdom and South Africa, though double quotes are also common there.<ref>''The Penguin Guide to Punctuation'', ], p. 94.</ref> A publisher's or author's style may take precedence over regional general preferences. The important idea is that the style of opening and closing quotation marks must be matched:


A publisher's or author's style may take precedence over regional general preferences. The important idea is that the style of opening and closing quotation marks must be matched:
{{block indent|<poem>'Good morning, Frank', said Hal.

"Good morning, Frank", said Hal.</poem>}}
{{block indent|<poem>'Good morning, Frank,' said Hal.
"Good morning, Frank," said Hal.</poem>}}


For speech within speech, the other style is used as inner quotation marks: For speech within speech, the other style is used as inner quotation marks:


{{block indent|<poem>'Hal said, "Good morning, Dave{{"'}}, recalled Frank. {{block indent|<poem>'Hal said, "Good morning, Dave,{{"'}} recalled Frank.
"Hal said, 'Good morning, Dave{{'"}}, recalled Frank.</poem>}} "Hal said, 'Good morning, Dave,{{'"}} recalled Frank.</poem>}}


Sometimes ] in more levels than inner and outer quotation. Nesting levels up to five can be found in the Christian Bible.<ref>{{Bibleverse||Jeremiah|27:1-11|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse-nb||Jeremiah|29:1-28|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse-nb||Jeremiah|29:30-32|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse-nb||Jeremiah|34:1-5|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse||Ezekiel|27:1-36|ESV}}</ref> In these cases, questions arise about the form (and names) of the quotation marks to be used. The most common way is to simply alternate between the two forms,<ref>Stilman, Ann. ''Grammatically Correct'', 1997. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-89879-776-3.</ref> thus: Sometimes ] in more levels than inner and outer quotation. Nesting levels up to five can be found in the Christian Bible.<ref>{{Bibleverse||Jeremiah|27:1-11|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse-nb||Jeremiah|29:1-28|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse-nb||Jeremiah|29:30-32|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse-nb||Jeremiah|34:1-5|ESV}}; {{Bibleverse||Ezekiel|27:1-36|ESV}}</ref> In these cases, questions arise about the form (and names) of the quotation marks to be used. The most common way is to simply alternate between the two forms,<ref>{{cite book |last=Stilman |first=Ann |title=Grammatically Correct |date=1997 |page= |publisher=F+W Media |isbn=978-0-89879-776-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/grammaticallycor00stil_0/page/181 }}</ref> thus:


{{block indent|{{nobr|" ... ' ... " ... ' ... ' ... " ... ' ... "}}}} {{block indent|{{nowrap|" ... ' ... " ... ' ... ' ... " ... ' ... "}}}}


If such a passage is further quoted in another publication, then all of their forms have to be shifted up by one level. If such a passage is further quoted in another publication, then all of their forms have to be shifted up by one level.


In most cases, quotations that span multiple ]s should be set as ]s, and thus do not require quotation marks. Quotation marks are used for multiple-paragraph quotations in some cases, especially in ]s. The convention in English is to give opening quotation marks to the first and each subsequent paragraph, using closing quotation marks only for the final paragraph of the quotation, as in the following example from '']'': In many cases, quotations that span multiple ]s are set as ]s, and thus do not require quotation marks. However, quotation marks are used for multiple-paragraph quotations in some cases, especially in ]s, where the convention in English is to give opening quotation marks to the first and each subsequent paragraph, using closing quotation marks only for the final paragraph of the quotation, as in the following example from '']'':


{{quote|1=The letter was to this effect: {{quote|1=The letter was to this effect:


{{smallcaps|"My dear Lizzy,}} "My dear Lizzy,


"I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however, do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not. "I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however, do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not.
Line 44: Line 50:
"Yours, etc."}} "Yours, etc."}}


As noted ], in some older texts, the quotation mark is repeated every line, rather than every paragraph. The Spanish convention uses closing quotation marks at the beginning of all subsequent paragraphs beyond the first. As noted ], in some older texts, the quotation mark is repeated every line, rather than every paragraph.


When quoted text is interrupted, such as with the phrase ''he said'', a closing quotation mark is used before the interruption, and an opening quotation mark after. ]s are also often used before and after the interruption, more often for quotations of speech than for quotations of text: When quoted text is interrupted, such as with the phrase ''he said'', a closing quotation mark is used before the interruption, and an opening quotation mark after. ]s are also often used before and after the interruption, more often for quotations of speech than for quotations of text:


{{block indent|"Hal", said Frank, "everything is going extremely well."}} {{block indent|"Everything", said Hal, "is going extremely well."}}


Quotation marks are not used for ]d speech. This is because a paraphrase is not a direct quote, and in the course of any composition, it is important to document when one is using a quotation versus when one is using a paraphrased idea, which could be open to interpretation. Quotation marks are not used for ]. This is because indirect speech can be a ]; it is not a direct quote, and in the course of any composition, it is important to document when one is using a quotation versus when one is just giving content, which may be paraphrased, and which could be open to interpretation.


If Hal says: "All systems are functional", then, in paraphrased speech: For example, if Hal says: "All systems are functional", then, in indirect speech:


{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
''Incorrect'': Hal said "everything was going extremely well". ''Incorrect'': Hal said that "everything was going extremely well".
''Correct'': Hal said that everything was going extremely well. ''Correct'': Hal said that everything was going extremely well.
</poem>}} </poem>}}


===Irony=== === Irony ===
{{Main|Scare quotes}} {{Main|Scare quotes}}
Another common use of quotation marks is to indicate or call attention to ], dubious, or non-standard words: Another common use of quotation marks is to indicate or call attention to ], dubious, or non-standard words:


{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
Line 71: Line 77:
Quotes indicating verbal irony, or other special use, are sometimes called ]. They are sometimes ]d in oral speech using ], or indicated in speech with a tone change or by replacement with ''supposed'' or ''so-called''. Quotes indicating verbal irony, or other special use, are sometimes called ]. They are sometimes ]d in oral speech using ], or indicated in speech with a tone change or by replacement with ''supposed'' or ''so-called''.


===Signaling unusual usage=== === Signalling unusual usage ===
Quotation marks are also used to indicate that the writer realizes that a word is not being used in its current commonly accepted sense: Quotation marks are also used to indicate that the writer realises that a word is not being used in its current commonly accepted sense:
{{block indent|Crystals somehow "know" which shape to grow into.}} {{block indent|Crystals somehow "know" which shape to grow into.}}


In addition to conveying a neutral attitude and to call attention to a ], or ], or special terminology (also known as ]), quoting can also indicate words or phrases that are ''descriptive'' but unusual, colloquial, folksy, startling, humorous, metaphoric, or contain a ]: ] concept of a ] could be described as an "evolving idea". In addition to conveying a neutral attitude and to call attention to a ], or ], or special terminology (also known as ]), quoting can also indicate words or phrases that are ''descriptive'' but unusual, colloquial, folksy, startling, humorous, metaphoric, or contain a ]: ] concept of a ] could be described as an "evolving idea".


People also use quotation marks in this way to distance the writer from the terminology in question so as not to be associated with it, for example to indicate that a quoted word is not official terminology, or that a quoted phrase presupposes things that the author does not necessarily agree with; or to indicate special terminology that should be identified for accuracy's sake as someone else's terminology, as when a term (particularly a controversial term) pre-dates the writer or represents the views of someone else, perhaps without judgement (contrast this neutrally-distancing quoting to the negative use of ]). People also use quotation marks in this way to distance the writer from the terminology in question so as not to be associated with it, for example to indicate that a quoted word is not official terminology, or that a quoted phrase presupposes things that the author does not necessarily agree with; or to indicate special terminology that should be identified for accuracy's sake as someone else's terminology, as when a term (particularly a controversial term) pre-dates the writer or represents the views of someone else, perhaps without judgement (contrast this neutrally distancing quoting to the negative use of ]).


'']'', 17th edition (2017),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/book/ed17/part2/ch07/psec057.html |title=The Chicago Manual of Style Online |edition=17th |date=2017 |publisher=] |access-date=21 December 2018 |at=Section 7.57 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> acknowledges this type of use but, in section 7.57, cautions against its overuse: "Quotation marks are often used to alert readers that a term is used in a nonstandard (or slang), ironic, or other special sense .... hey imply 'This is not my term,' or 'This is not how the term is usually applied.' Like any such device, ] lose their force and irritate readers if overused."
'']'', 15th edition (2007),<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
| title = The Chicago Manual of Style Online
| publisher = Chicagomanualofstyle.org
| accessdate = 2007-11-08
}}</ref> acknowledges this type of use but, in section 7.58, cautions against its overuse: "Quotation marks are often used to alert readers that a term is used in a nonstandard, ironic, or other special sense … hey imply 'This is not my term,' or 'This is not how the term is ''usually'' applied.' Like any such device, ] lose their force and irritate readers if overused."{{Update inline|?=y|reason=This edition is ancient, and much of the wording changed in the 16th ed., so should be re-cited and re-quoted.|date=September 2015}}


===Use–mention distinction=== === Use–mention distinction ===
{{Main|Use–mention distinction|Metalanguage}} {{Main|Use–mention distinction|Metalanguage}}


Either quotation marks or ] can emphasize that an instance of a word refers to ] rather than its associated concept. Either quotation marks or ] can emphasise that an instance of a word refers to ] rather than its associated concept.


{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
Cheese is derived from milk.<!--not italicized or quoted--> (concept) Cheese is derived from milk.<!--not italicised or quoted--> (concept)
"Cheese" is derived from a word in Old English. (word) "Cheese" is derived from a word in Old English. (word)
Cheese has calcium, protein, and phosphorus.<!--not italicized or quoted--> (concept) Cheese has calcium, protein, and phosphorus.<!--not italicised or quoted--> (concept)
''Cheese'' has three ''E''<nowiki />s. (word) ''Cheese'' has three ''E''<nowiki />s. (word)
</poem>}} </poem>}}


==== In linguistics ====
A three-way distinction is occasionally made between normal use of a word (no quotation marks), referring to the concept behind the word (single quotation marks), and the word itself (double quotation marks):
Precise writing about language often uses italics for ] and single quotation marks for a ], with the two not separated by a comma or other punctuation,<ref>"Style Sheet", '']'', (undated), </ref> and with strictly ] around the gloss&nbsp;– extraneous terminal punctuation ''outside'' the quotation marks – even in North American publications, which might otherwise prefer them inside:<ref name="LSA-LSS">{{cite web |title=''Language'' Style Sheet |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |work=] |date=2015 |publisher=] |location=Washington, DC |access-date=21 December 2018 |url= http://www.linguisticsociety.org/sites/default/files/LANGUAGE_journal_style_sheet.pdf |quote=4. Punctuation: a. ... The second member of a pair of quotation marks should precede any other adjacent mark of punctuation, unless the other mark is a necessary part of the quoted matter .... 6. Cited Forms: ... e. After the first occurrence of non-English forms, provide a gloss in single quotation marks: Latin ''ovis'' ‘sheep’ is a noun. No comma precedes the gloss and no comma follows, unless necessary for other reasons: Latin ''ovis'' ‘sheep’, ''canis'' ‘dog’, and ''equus'' ‘horse’ are nouns.}}</ref>
{{quote|1={{sic|hide=y|1=Latin ''ovis'' 'sheep', ''canis'' 'dog', and ''equus'' 'horse' are nouns.|reason=This example is a quotation from the source, not a made-up example; do not modify it.}}}}


=== Titles of artistic works ===
{{block indent|When discussing 'use', use "use".}}

The logic for this derives from the need to distinguish use forms, coupled with the mandate to retain consistent notation for like use forms.<ref name="Butcher4">{{Cite book|author=Butcher, J.; Drake, C.; Leach, M.|year=2006|title=Butcher's Copy-Editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Copy-Editors and Proofreaders|edition=4th|publisher=]|location=Cambridge, England}}</ref> The switching between double and single quotes in nested citation quotes reveals the same literary device for reducing ambiguity.

====In linguistics====
Precise writing about language often uses italics for ] and single quotation marks for a ], with the two not separated by a comma or other punctuation, and with strictly ] around the gloss&nbsp;– extraneous terminal punctuation ''outside'' the quotation marks&nbsp;– even in North American publications, which might otherwise prefer them inside:<ref name="LSA-LSS">{{cite web
|title=''Language'' Style Sheet
|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
|work=]
|date=2015
|publisher=]
|location=Washington, DC, US
|url= http://www.linguisticsociety.org/sites/default/files/LANGUAGE_journal_style_sheet.pdf
|quote=4. Punctuation: a. ... The second member of a pair of quotation marks should precede any other adjacent mark of punctuation, unless the other mark is a necessary part of the quoted matter.... 6. Cited Forms: ... e. After the first occurrence of non-English forms, provide a gloss in single quotation marks: Latin ovis ‘sheep’ is a noun. No comma precedes the gloss and no comma follows, unless necessary for other reasons: Latin ovis ‘sheep’, canis ‘dog’, and equus ‘horse’ are nouns.
|accessdate=2015-09-04
}}</ref>
{{quote|1={{sic|hide=y|1=Latin ''ovis'' 'sheep', ''canis'' 'dog', and ''equus'' 'horse' are nouns.|reason=This example is a quotation from the source, not a made-up example; do not modify it.}}<ref name="LSA-LSS" />}}

===Titles of artistic works===
Quotation marks, rather than italics, are generally used for the titles of shorter works. Whether these are single or double depends on the context; however, many styles, especially for poetry, prefer the use of single quotation marks. Quotation marks, rather than italics, are generally used for the titles of shorter works. Whether these are single or double depends on the context; however, many styles, especially for poetry, prefer the use of single quotation marks.
* Short fiction, poetry, etc.: ]'s "The Sentinel" * Short fiction, poetry, etc.: ]'s "The Sentinel"
* Book chapters: The first chapter of ''3001: The Final Odyssey'' is "Comet Cowboy" * Book chapters: The first chapter of ''3001: The Final Odyssey'' is "Comet Cowboy"
* Articles in books, magazines, journals, etc.: "Extra-Terrestrial Relays", ''Wireless World'', October 1945 * Articles in books, magazines, journals, etc.: "Extra-Terrestrial Relays", ''Wireless World'', October 1945
* Album tracks, singles, etc.: ]'s "]" * Album tracks, singles, etc.: ]'s "]"


As a rule, the title of a whole publication would be ] (or, in typewritten text, ]d), whereas the titles of minor works within or a subset of the larger publication (such as poems, short stories, named chapters, journal papers, newspaper articles, TV show episodes, video game levels, editorial sections of websites, etc.) would be written with quotation marks. As a rule, the title of a whole publication is ] (or, in typewritten text, ]d), whereas the titles of minor works within or a subset of the larger publication (such as poems, short stories, named chapters, journal papers, newspaper articles, TV show episodes, video game levels, editorial sections of websites, etc.) are written with quotation marks.
{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet''}} Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet''
Dahl's short story "Taste" in ''Completely Unexpected Tales'' Dahl's short story "Taste" in ''Completely Unexpected Tales''
</poem>}} </poem>}}


===Nicknames and false titles=== === Nicknames and false titles ===
Quotation marks can also offset a ] embedded in an actual name, or a false or ] title embedded in an actual title; for example, ], ], or ]. Quotation marks can also set off a ] embedded in an actual name, or a false or ] title embedded in an actual title; for example, ], ], or ].


===Nonstandard usage=== === Nonstandard usage ===
Quotes are sometimes used for ] in lieu of underlining or italics, most commonly on signs or placards. This usage can be confused with ironic or altered-usage quotation, sometimes with unintended humor. For example, ''For sale: "fresh" fish, "fresh" oysters'', could be construed to imply that ''fresh'' is not used with its everyday meaning, or indeed to indicate that the fish or oysters are anything but fresh. As another example, ''Cashiers' desks open until noon for your "convenience"'' could be interpreted to mean that the convenience was for the bank employees, not the customers.<ref name="ucalgary" /><ref name="LanguageLog" /> Quotes are sometimes used for ] in lieu of underlining or italics, most commonly on signs or placards. This usage can be confused with ironic or altered-usage quotation, sometimes with unintended humor. For example, ''For sale: "fresh" fish, "fresh" oysters'', could be construed to imply that ''fresh'' is not used with its everyday meaning, or indeed to indicate that the fish or oysters are anything but fresh. As another example, ''Cashiers' desks open until noon for your "convenience"'' could be interpreted to mean that the convenience was for the bank employees, not the customers.<ref name="LanguageLog" />


== Order of punctuation<span class="anchor" id="Logical quotation"></span><span class="anchor" id="typesetters' quotation"></span>==
==Typographical considerations==
With regard to quotation marks adjacent to periods and commas, there are two styles of punctuation in widespread use. These two styles are most commonly referred to as "American" and "British", or sometimes "typesetters' quotation" and "logical quotation". Both systems have the same rules regarding question marks, exclamation points, colons, and semicolons. However, they differ in the treatment of periods and commas.<ref name="SSF" /><ref name="CMoS_6.9">{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/book/ed17/part2/ch06/psec009.html |title=The Chicago Manual of Style Online |edition=17th |date=2017 |publisher=] |access-date=21 December 2018 |at=Sections 6.9-6.11 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>


In all major forms of English, question marks, exclamation marks, semicolons, and any other punctuation (with the possible exceptions of periods and commas, as explained in the sections below) are placed inside or outside the closing quotation mark depending on whether they are part of the quoted material.<ref name="APA"/>
===Order of punctuation===
{{Anchor|Logical quotation|typesetters' quotation}}
With regard to quotation marks adjacent to periods and commas, there are two styles of punctuation in widespread use. These two styles are most commonly referred to as "American" and "British" (the latter of which is also called "logical quotation"). Both systems have the same rules regarding question marks, exclamation points, colons, and semicolons. However, they differ on the treatment of periods and commas.

In all major forms of English, question marks and exclamation marks are placed inside or outside quoted material depending on whether they apply to the whole sentence or just the quoted portion, but colons and semicolons are always placed outside.<ref> {{wayback|url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/~rgreen/grammar/quotes.htm |date=20150402231935 |df=y }}</ref>
{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
Did he say, "Good morning, Dave"? Did he say, "Good morning, Dave"?
No, he said, "Where are you, Dave?" No, he said, "Where are you, Dave?"
There are three major definitions of the word "gender": vernacular, sociological, and linguistic. There are three major definitions of the word "gender": vernacular, sociological, and linguistic.
Type "C:" at the DOS prompt to switch from a floppy disk to a hard drive.
</poem>}} </poem>}}


A convention is the use of ] to indicate content between the quotation marks that has been modified from, or was not present in, the original material.
====British practice====

The prevailing style in the United Kingdom and other non-American locales—called British style<ref name="APA">{{cite web
=== British style<span class="anchor" id="British practice"></span>===
|url= http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/08/punctuating-around-quotation-marks.html
The prevailing style in the United Kingdom{{spaced ndash}} called ''British style'',<ref name=SSF>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PoFJ-OhE63UC&pg=PA180 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers |publisher=] / Cambridge University Press |date=2002 |quote=In the British style (OUP 1983), all signs of punctuation used with words and quotation marks must be placed {{em|according to the sense}}. |access-date=21 December 2018 |isbn=9780521471541}}</ref><ref name="APA">{{cite web |url=https://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/08/punctuating-around-quotation-marks.html |last=Lee |first=Chelsea |title=Punctuating Around Quotation Marks |work=APA Style Blog |publisher=] |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> ''logical quotation'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abdn.ac.uk/riiss/content-images/JISS_Style_Guide_revised_FV.pdf |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies |publisher=Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies, ] |date=2008 |quote=Punctuation marks are placed inside the quotation marks only if the sense of the punctuation is part of the quotation; this system is referred to as logical quotation. |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> and ''logical punctuation''<ref name="Yagoda"/>{{spaced ndash}} is to include within quotation marks only those punctuation marks that appeared in the ''original'' quoted material and in which the punctuation mark fits with the sense of the quotation, but otherwise to place punctuation outside the closing quotation marks.<ref name="Yagoda">{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2011/05/logical-punctuation-should-we-start-placing-commas-outside-quotation-marks.html |title=The Rise of "Logical Punctuation" |first=Ben |last=Yagoda |author-link=Ben Yagoda |date=12 May 2011 |work=] |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> Fowler's '']'' provides an early example of the rule: "All signs of punctuation used with words in quotation marks must be placed ''according to the sense''."<ref>{{cite book |title=The New Fowler's Modern English Usage |url=https://archive.org/details/newfowlersmodern00fowl |url-access=registration |edition=3rd |date=1996 |publisher=] |editor-last=Burchfield |editor-first=R. W. |page=|isbn=978-0-19-869126-6 }} Emphasis in original.</ref>
|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->

|title=Punctuating Around Quotation Marks
|publisher=Style Guide of the American Psychological Association
|year=2011
|format=blog
|accessdate=2011-10-25}}</ref> and logical quotation<ref name="JISS">{{cite web
|url= http://www.abdn.ac.uk/riiss/Documents/JISS%20Style%20Guide%20revised%20FV.pdf
|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110410233640/http://www.abdn.ac.uk/riiss/Documents/JISS%20Style%20Guide%20revised%20FV.pdf
|archivedate= 2011-04-10
|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
|title=Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies – Style Guide
|location=], Scotland
|publisher=Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies
|year=2008
|format=PDF
|quote=Punctuation marks are placed inside the quotation marks only if the sense of the punctuation is part of the quotation; this system is referred to as logical quotation.
|accessdate=2014-05-28
}}</ref><ref name="Yagoda">{{cite web |url= http://www.slate.com/id/2293056/ |title=The Rise of "Logical Punctuation" |author=Ben Yagoda |date=12 May 2011 |work=] |accessdate=2011-05-13 |authorlink=Ben Yagoda}}</ref>{{disputed inline|date=September 2015|Logical and British quotation are not the same thing|reason=Logical and British are not the same, just similar.}}—is to include within quotation marks only those punctuation marks that appeared in the ''original'' quoted material, but otherwise to place punctuation outside the closing quotation marks.<ref name="Yagoda" /> Fowler's '']'' provides an early example of the rule: "All signs of punctuation used with words in quotation marks must be placed ''according to the sense''."<ref>{{cite book|title=The New Fowler's ]|edition=3rd|year=1996|publisher=]|editor1-last=Burchfield|editor1-first=R.W.|page=646}} Emphasis in original.</ref>
When dealing with words-as-words, short-form works and sentence fragments, this style places periods and commas outside the quotation marks: When dealing with words-as-words, short-form works and sentence fragments, this style places periods and commas outside the quotation marks:
{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
"Carefree", in general, means "free from care or anxiety". "Carefree", in general, means "free from care or anxiety".
The name of the song was "Gloria", which many already knew. The title of the song was "Gloria", which many already knew.
She said she felt "free from care and anxiety". She said she felt "free from care and anxiety".
</poem>}} </poem>}}


When dealing with direct speech, according to the British style guide ''Butcher's Copy-editing'', if a quotation is broken by words of the main sentence, and then resumed, the punctuation before the break should follow the closing quote unless it forms part of the quotation. An exception may be made when writing fiction, where the first comma may be placed before the first closing quote.<ref name="Butcher">{{cite book |last1=Butcher |first1=Judith |last2=Drake |first2=Caroline |last3=Leach |first3=Maureen |date=2006 |title=Butcher's Copy-editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Copy-editors and Proofreaders |edition=4th |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-521-84713-1 |page=273}}</ref> In non-fiction, some British publishers may permit placing punctuation that is not part of the person's speech inside the quotation marks but prefer that it be placed outside.<ref name="Butcher" /> Periods and commas that {{em|are}} part of the person's speech are permitted inside the quotation marks regardless of whether the material is fiction.<ref name="Butcher" />
When dealing with direct speech, British placement depends on whether or not the quoted statement is complete or a fragment. According to the British style guide ''Butcher's Copy-editing'', American style should be used when writing fiction.<ref name="Butcher Cambridge">{{Cite book
|last=Butcher
|first=Judith
|title=Butcher's Copy-editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Copy-editors and Proofreaders
|publisher=Cambridge University Press
|year=2006
|location=Cambridge, England
|page=273
|isbn=978-0-521-84713-1
|display-authors=etal}}</ref> In non-fiction, some British publishers may permit placing punctuation that is not part of the person's speech inside the quotation marks but prefer that it be placed outside.<ref name="Butcher Cambridge" /> Periods and commas that ''are'' part of the person's speech are permitted inside the quotation marks regardless of whether the material is fiction.<ref name="Butcher Cambridge" />
{{block indent|1=<poem>"Today," said Cinderella, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (fiction) {{block indent|1=<poem>"Today," said Cinderella, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (fiction)
"Today", said the Prime Minister, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (preferred in non-fiction) "Today", said the Prime Minister, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (preferred in non-fiction)
Line 194: Line 151:
</poem>}} </poem>}}


'']'' and the '']'' call the British style "new" quoting. It is also similar to the use of quotation marks in many other languages (including Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, Catalan, Dutch and German). A few US professional societies whose professions frequently employ various non-word characters, such as chemistry and computer programming, use the British form in their style guides (see ''ACS Style Guide'').
====U.S. practice====

In the United States, the prevailing style is called American style,<ref name="APA" /> whereby commas and periods are almost always placed inside closing quotation marks.<ref>''The Associated Press Stylebook'', p. 337; ''The Chicago Manual of Style'', 15th ed., ch. 6.9, pp. 242–243, http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/CMS_FAQ/Punctuation/Punctuation50.html; Strunk, William Jr., and White, E. B. ,''The Elements of Style'', Pearson Education Company, 4th ed., p. 36; McFarlane and Warren Clements. ''The Globe and Mail Style Book'', 9th ed., p. 237; Brinck, Tom, et al., ''Usability for the Web'', Morgan Kaufmann, 2002, p. 277.</ref> This style of punctuation is common in the U.S. and to a lesser extent, Canada as well (being more ] to alternative ] preferences), and is the style usually recommended by '']'' and most other American style guides. However, some American style guides specific to certain specialties, such as linguistics, prefer the British style.<ref name="WilbersOnChicago14">{{cite web
According to the '']'' from 1983, American ]s (members of a subculture of enthusiastic programmers) switched to what they later discovered to be the British quotation system because placing a period inside a quotation mark can change the meaning of data strings that are meant to be typed character-for-character.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/writing-style.html |title=The Jargon File, Chapter 5. Hacker Writing Style |work=CATB.org |access-date=7 November 2010}}</ref>
|url= http://www.wilbers.com/FAQPunctuation.htm

|author=Stephen Wilbers
Some American style guides specific to certain specialties also prefer the British style.<ref name="CMoS_6.9" /> For example, the journal '']'' of the ] requires that the closing quotation mark precede the period or comma unless that period or comma is "a necessary part of the quoted matter".<ref name="LSA-LSS" /> The websites ] and ] use logical punctuation.<ref name="Yagoda"/>
|title=Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Punctuation

|format=web site
=== American style<span class="anchor" id="American practice"></span>===
|accessdate=2011-10-25}}</ref> For example, the journal '']'' of the ] requires logical quotation.<ref name="LSA-LSS" />
In the United States, the prevailing style is called ''American style'',<ref name="APA" /> whereby commas and periods are almost always placed inside closing quotation marks.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Associated Press Stylebook |chapter=Punctuation |page=337}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Chicago Manual of Style Online: Q&A |url=https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Punctuation/faq0021.html |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Strunk |first1=William Jr. |last2=White |first2=E. B. |title=The Elements of Style |publisher=] |edition=4th |page= |date=2000 |isbn=9780205313426 |url=https://archive.org/details/elementsofs00stru/page/36 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1=J. A. (Sandy) |last1=McFarlane |first2=Warren |last2=Clements |title=The Globe and Mail Style Book |edition=9th |date=2003 |isbn=978-0771056857 |page=237|publisher=McClelland & Stewart }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Brinck |first1=Tom |last2=Gergle |first2=Darren |last3=Wood |first3=Scott W. |title=Usability for the Web |publisher=] |date=2002 |page=277 |isbn=978-1-55860-658-6 |doi=10.1016/B978-1-55860-658-6.X5000-7}}</ref> This is done because it results in closer spacing and what is judged to be a cleaner appearance.<ref>Frederick Hamilton (1920: 31) ''A Primer of Information about the Marks of Punctuation and Their Use Both Grammatically and Typographically.''</ref> The American style is used by most newspapers, publishing houses, and style guides in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Canada as well.
When dealing with words-as-words, short-form works and sentence fragments, this style places periods and commas inside the quotation marks:

When dealing with words-as-words, short-form works, and sentence fragments, standard American style places periods and commas inside the quotation marks:
{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
"Carefree," in general, means "free from care or anxiety." "Carefree," in general, means "free from care or anxiety."
The name of the song was "Gloria," which many already knew. The title of the song was "Gloria," which many already knew.
She said she felt "free from care and anxiety." She said she felt "free from care and anxiety."
</poem>}} </poem>}}
Line 214: Line 173:
</poem>}} </poem>}}


Nevertheless, many American style guides explicitly permit periods and commas outside the quotation marks when the presence of the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks will lead to ambiguity, such as when describing keyboard input: Nevertheless, many American style guides explicitly permit periods and commas outside the quotation marks when the presence of the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks leads to ambiguity, such as when describing keyboard input, as in the following example:
{{block indent|In the programming language ], the statement "<code>end.</code>", including the period/full stop, signifies the end of a program.}} {{block indent|In the programming language ], the statement "<code>end.</code>", including the period, signifies the end of a program.}}


The American style is recommended by the Modern Language Association's '']'', the American Psychological Association's '']'', the University of Chicago's '']'', the American Institute of Physics's ''AIP Style Manual'', the American Medical Association's ''AMA Manual of Style'', the American Political Science Association's ''APSA Style Manual'', the ]' ''The AP Guide to Punctuation'', and the ] ''The Canadian Style''.<ref>Other style guides and reference volumes include the following: ''U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual'' (2008, p. 217), US Department of Education's ''IES Style Guide'' (2005, p. 43), ''The Canadian Style: A Guide to Writing and Editing'' (1997, p. 148), ''International Committee of Medical Journal Editors'', ''International Reading Association Style Guide'', ''American Dialect Society'', Association of Legal Writing Directors' ''ALWD Citation Manual'', ''The McGraw-Hill Desk Reference'' by K. D. Sullivan (2006, p. 52), ''Webster's New World Punctuation'' by Geraldine Woods (2005, p. 68), ''The New Oxford Guide to Writing'' by Thomas S. Kane (1994, pp. 278, 305, 306), ''Merriam-Webster's Manual for Writers and Editors'' by Merriam-Webster (1998, p. 27), ''Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers'' by Lynn Troyka, et al. (1993, p. 517), ''Science and Technical Writing'' by Philip Rubens (2001, p. 208), ''Health Professionals Style Manual'' by Shirley Fondiller and Barbara Nerone (2006, p. 72), ''The Gregg Reference Manual'' by William A. Sabin (2000, p. 247), ''The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation'' by ](2007, p. 61), ''The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage'' by Allan M. Siegal, ''The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge'' (2004, p. 788), ''The Copyeditor's Handbook'' by Amy Einsohn (2000, p. 111), ''The Grammar Bible'' by Michael Strumpf, Auriel Douglas (2004, p. 446), ''Elements of Style'' by William Strunk and Elwyn B. White (1979, p. 36), ''Little English Handbook'' by Edward P. J. Corbett (1997, p. 135), ''Commonsense Grammar and Style'' by Phillip S. Sparks (2004, p. 18), ''Handbook of Technical Writing'' by Gerald Alred et al. (2006, pp. 83, 373), ''MIT Guide To Science and Engineering Communication'' by J. Paradis and M. L. Zimmerman (2002, p. 314), ''Guide to Writing Empirical Papers'' by G. David Garson (2002, p. 178), ''Modern English'' by A. L. Lazarus, A. MacLeish, and H. W. Smith (1971, p. 71), ''The Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers'' (8th ed.) by John Ruszkiewicz et al., ''Comma Sense'' by Richard Lederer, John Shore (2007, p. 138), ''Write right!'' by Jan Venolia (2001, p. 82), ''Scholastic Journalism'' by Earl English and Clarence Hach (1962. p. 75), ''Grammar in Plain English'' by Harriet Diamond and Phyllis Dutwin (2005, p. 199), ''Crimes Against the English Language'' by Jill Meryl Levy (2005, p. 21), ''The Analytical Writer'' by Adrienne Robins (1997, p. 524), ''Writing with a Purpose'' by James McNab McCrimmon (1973, p. 415), ''Writing and Reporting News'' by Carole Rich (2000, p. 60), ''The Lawyer's Guide to Writing Well'' by Tom Goldstein (2003, p. 163), ''Woodroof's Quotations, Commas And Other Things English'' by D. K. Woodroof (2005, pp. 10–12), ''Journalism Language and Expression'' by Sundara Rajan (2005, p. 76), ''The Business Writer's Handbook'' by Gerald Alred et al. (2006, p. 451), ''The Business Style Handbook'' by Helen Cunningham (2002, p. 213), ''Essentials of English'' by Vincent Hopper (2000, p. 127).</ref> This style is also used in some British news and fiction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=March |first1=David |title='The British style'? 'The American way?' They are not so different {{!}} Mind your language |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2011/may/19/mind-your-language-punctuation-quotations |website=the Guardian |access-date=19 November 2021 |language=en |date=19 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Butcher" />
====Ending the sentence====


=== Ending the sentence ===
In both major styles, regardless of placement, only one end mark (?, !, or .) can end a sentence. Only the period, however, ''may not'' end a quoted sentence when it does not also end the enclosing sentence, except for literal text:<ref>'']'', 15th edition; '']''; ''Merriam-Webster's Guide to Punctuation and Style'', second edition.</ref>

In both major styles, regardless of placement, only one end mark (?, !, or .) can end a sentence. Only the period, however, ''may not'' end a quoted sentence when it does not also end the enclosing sentence, except for literal text:<ref name="CMoS_6.9" /><ref>{{cite book |title=New Hart's Rules |date=2005 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-861041-0 |editor-first=R. M. |editor-last=Ritter |url=https://archive.org/details/newhartsrules00rmri }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Merriam-Webster's Guide to Punctuation and Style |edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-87779-921-4 |date=2001 |author=Merriam-Webster |publisher=Merriam-Webster |url=https://archive.org/details/merriamwebstersg00merr_0 }}</ref>
{{block indent|1=<poem> {{block indent|1=<poem>
"Hello, world," she said. (American style) "Hello, world," she said. (both styles)
"Hello, world", she said. (British non-fiction)
She said, "Hello, world." (both styles) She said, "Hello, world." (both styles)
"Hello, world!" she exclaimed. (both styles) "Hello, world!" she exclaimed. (both styles)
Line 228: Line 188:
</poem>}} </poem>}}


With narration of direct speech, both styles retain punctuation inside the quotation marks, with a full stop changing into a comma if followed by attributive matter, also known as a speech tag or annunciatory clause. Americans tend to apply quotations when signifying doubt of veracity (sarcastically or seriously), to imply another meaning to a word or to imply a cynical take on a paraphrased quotation, without punctuation at all.
===Single nested within double, or vice versa===

As explained at ], British English often uses the single quotation mark where American English would use the double quotation mark. Thus American style treats the double as the root or default, and alternates to single when nesting, whereas British style often does the reverse.
== Typographical considerations ==

=== Primary quotations versus secondary quotations ===
''Primary quotations'' are ] distinguished from ''secondary quotations'' that may be nested within a primary quotation. British English often uses single quotation marks to identify the outermost text of a primary quotation versus double quotation marks for inner, nested quotations. By contrast, American English typically uses double quotation marks to identify the outermost text of a primary quotation versus single quotation marks for inner, nested quotations.

British usage does vary, with some authoritative sources such as '']'' and '']'' recommending the same usage as in the US,<ref>"American and British English". ''The Economist Style Guide'' (Fourth ed.). London: Hamish Hamilton Ltd. 1996. p. 85. {{ISBN|0241135567}}. Tim Austin, Richard Dixon (2003) ''The Times Style and Usage Guide''. London: HarperCollins. {{ISBN|0007145055}}</ref> whereas other authoritative sources, such as '']'', '']'', and '']'', recommend single quotation marks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bartleby.com/116/406.html |title=Quotation Marks. Fowler, H. W. 1908. The King's English |work=Bartleby.com |access-date=7 November 2010}}</ref> In journals and newspapers, quotation mark double/single use often depends on the individual publication's ].


===Spacing=== === Spacing ===
In English, when a quotation follows other writing on a line of text, a space precedes the opening quotation mark unless the preceding symbol, such as an ], requires that there be no space. When a quotation is followed by other writing on a line of text, a space follows the closing quotation mark unless it is immediately followed by other punctuation within the sentence, such as a colon or closing punctuation. (These exceptions are ignored by some Asian computer systems that systematically display quotation marks with the included spacing, as this spacing is part of the fixed-width characters.) In English, when a quotation follows other writing on a line of text, a space precedes the opening quotation mark unless the preceding symbol, such as an ], requires that there be no space. When a quotation is followed by other writing on a line of text, a space follows the closing quotation mark unless it is immediately followed by other punctuation within the sentence, such as a colon or closing punctuation. (These exceptions are ignored by some Asian computer systems that systematically display quotation marks with the included spacing, as this spacing is part of the fixed-width characters.)


Line 242: Line 208:
This is not common practice in mainstream publishing, which will generally use more precise ]. It is more common in online writing, although using ] to create the spacing by kerning is more ] than inserting extraneous spacing characters. This is not common practice in mainstream publishing, which will generally use more precise ]. It is more common in online writing, although using ] to create the spacing by kerning is more ] than inserting extraneous spacing characters.


===Non-language related usage=== === Non-language-related usage ===
Straight quotation marks (or italicized straight quotation marks) are often used to ] the ] and double prime, e.g. when signifying feet and inches, ]s and ]s or ]s and ]s, where the quotation mark symbolises the latter part of the pair. For instance, 5&nbsp;feet and 6&nbsp;inches is often written 5'&nbsp;6"; and 40&nbsp;degrees, 20&nbsp;arcminutes, and 50 arcseconds is written 40°&nbsp;20'&nbsp;50". When available, however, the prime should be used instead (e.g. 5′&nbsp;6″, and 40°&nbsp;20′&nbsp;50″). Prime and double prime are not present in most ]s, including ASCII and Latin-1, but are present in ], as characters {{unichar|2032|prime}} and {{unichar|2033|Double prime}}. Straight quotation marks (or italicised straight quotation marks) are often used to ] the ] and ], e.g. when signifying feet and inches or ]s and ]s. For instance, 5&nbsp;feet and 6&nbsp;inches is often written 5'&nbsp;6"; and 40&nbsp;degrees, 20&nbsp;arcminutes, and 50 arcseconds is written 40°&nbsp;20'&nbsp;50". When available, however, primes should be used instead (e.g. 5{{prime}}&nbsp;6{{pprime}}, and 40°&nbsp;20{{prime}}&nbsp;50{{pprime}}). Prime and double prime are not present in most ]s, including ] and ], but are present in ], as characters {{unichar|2032|PRIME}} and {{unichar|2033|DOUBLE PRIME}}. The ] are {{Code|&prime;}} and {{Code|&Prime;}}, respectively.


Double quotation marks, or pairs of single ones, are also often used to represent the ]. Double quotation marks, or pairs of single ones, also represent the ].


Straight single and double quotation marks are used in most ]s to delimit ] or literal ], collectively known as ]s. In some languages (e.g. ]) only one type is allowed, in some (e.g. ] and its derivatives) both are used with different meanings and in others (e.g. ]) both are used interchangeably. In some languages, if it is desired to include the same quotation marks used to delimit a string inside the string, the quotation marks are doubled. For example, to represent the string <tt>eat 'hot' dogs</tt> in Pascal one uses <tt><nowiki>'eat ''hot'' dogs'</nowiki></tt>. Other languages use an ], often the ], as in <tt><nowiki>'eat \'hot\' dogs'</nowiki></tt>. Straight single and double quotation marks are used in most ]s to delimit ] or literal ], collectively known as ]s. In some languages (e.g. ]) only one type is allowed, in some (e.g. ] and its derivatives) both are used with different meanings and in others (e.g. ]) both are used interchangeably. In some languages, if it is desired to include the same quotation marks used to delimit a string inside the string, the quotation marks are doubled. For example, to represent the string {{samp|eat 'hot' dogs}} in Pascal one uses <code><nowiki>'eat ''hot'' dogs'</nowiki></code>. Other languages use an ], often the ], as in <code><nowiki>'eat \'hot\' dogs'</nowiki></code>.


In the ] typesetting program, left double quotes are produced by typing `` (two back-ticks) and right double quotes by typing two apostrophes. In the ] typesetting program, left double quotes are produced by typing two back-ticks ({{Code|``}}) and right double quotes by typing two apostrophes ({{Code|''}}). This is a continuation of a typewriter tradition of using ticks for opening quotation marks; see {{section link|Quotation mark|Typewriters and early computers}}.

===Typing quotation marks on a computer keyboard===
Standard English computer keyboard layouts inherited the single and double straight quotation marks from the typewriter (the single quotation mark also doubling as an ]), and they do not include individual keys for left-handed and right-handed typographic quotation marks. In ] terms, these ] are labeled '']''. However, most computer text-editing programs provide a "smart quotes" feature (see below) to automatically convert straight quotation marks into bidirectional punctuation. Generally, this smart quote feature is enabled by default, and it can be turned off in an "options" or "preferences" ]. Some websites do not allow typographic quotation marks or apostrophes in posts. One can skirt these limitations, however, by using the HTML character codes or entities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/sgml/entities.html#h-24.2 |title=Character entity references in HTML 4 |publisher=W3.org |date= |accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref>


=== Typing quotation marks on a computer keyboard ===
Standard English computer keyboard layouts inherited the single and double straight quotation marks from the typewriter (the single quotation mark also doubling as an ]), and they do not include individual keys for left-handed and right-handed typographic quotation marks. In ] terms, these ] are labeled '']''. However, most computer text-editing programs provide a "smart quotes" feature to automatically convert straight quotation marks into bidirectional punctuation, though sometimes imperfectly {{crossref|(see {{section link||Smart_quotes}})}}. Generally, this smart quote feature is enabled by default, and it can be turned off in an "options" or "preferences" ]. Some websites do not allow typographic quotation marks or apostrophes in posts. One can skirt these limitations, however, by using the HTML character codes or entities<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/sgml/entities.html#h-24.2 |title=Character entity references in HTML 4 |work=W3.org |publisher=] |date=24 December 1999 |access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref> or the other key combinations in the following table. In ], ] scripts can be used to assign simpler key combinations to opening and closing quotation marks.
{{Anchor|How to type}}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+How to type quotation marks (and apostrophes) on a computer keyboard |+How to type typographic quotation marks (and apostrophes) on a computer keyboard
! colspan="2" | &nbsp; ! colspan="2" |&nbsp;
! style="text-align: center" |Windows ] combinations ! style="text-align: center" |Windows ] combinations
! style="text-align: center;" |] key combinations ! style="text-align: center;" |] key combinations
! style="text-align: center" |Linux (]) keys ! style="text-align: center" |Linux (]) keys
! style="text-align: center" |Unicode point ! style="text-align: center" |Unicode point
Line 266: Line 232:
!Single opening !Single opening
|style="text-align: center; width: 30px"|&nbsp;<span style="font-family:serif;font-size:150%">‘</span>&nbsp; |style="text-align: center; width: 30px"|&nbsp;<span style="font-family:serif;font-size:150%">‘</span>&nbsp;
|{{keypress|Alt}}+{{keypress|0}}{{keypress|1}}{{keypress|4}}{{keypress|5}} (on number pad) |{{key press|Alt}}+{{keypress|0}}{{key press|1}}{{key press|4}}{{key_press|5}} (on number pad)
|{{keypress|Opt|]}} |{{key press|Opt|]}}
|{{keypress|]|<|'}} or {{keypress|]|Shift|V}} |{{key press|]|<|'}} or {{key press|]|Shift|V}}
|U+2018 |U+2018
|<code>&amp;lsquo;</code> |<code>&amp;lsquo;</code>
|<code>&amp;#8216;</code> |<code>&amp;#8216;</code>
|- |-
!Single closing<small><br />(&amp; apostrophe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/2019/index.htm |title=Unicode Character 'RIGHT SINGLE QUOTATION MARK' (U+2019) |publisher=Fileformat.info |date= |accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U2000.pdf |format=PDF |title=General Punctuation |publisher=Unicode.org|accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref>)</small> !Single closing<small><br />(&amp; apostrophe<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/2019/index.htm |title=Unicode Character 'RIGHT SINGLE QUOTATION MARK' (U+2019) |work=FileFormat.info |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U2000.pdf|title=General Punctuation: Range: 2000–206F |work=Unicode.org |publisher=] |access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref>)</small>
|style="text-align: center" |&nbsp;<span style="font-family:serif;font-size:150%">’</span>&nbsp; |style="text-align: center" |&nbsp;<span style="font-family:serif;font-size:150%">’</span>&nbsp;
|{{keypress|Alt}}+{{keypress|0}}{{keypress|1}}{{keypress|4}}{{keypress|6}} (on number pad) |{{keypress|Alt}}+{{keypress|0}}{{keypress|1}}{{keypress|4}}{{keypress|6}} (on number pad)
Line 300: Line 266:
|<code>&amp;#8221;</code> |<code>&amp;#8221;</code>
|} |}
{{crossref|(For additional characters used in other languages, see ].)}} {{crossreference|(For additional characters used in other languages, see {{section link|Quotation mark#Summary table}}.)}}


====Smart quotes==== ==== Smart quotes ====
To make typographic quotation marks easier to enter, publishing software often automatically converts typewriter quotation marks (and apostrophes) to typographic form during text entry (with or without the users being aware of it). These are known as ''smart quotes'' ('''<span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 150%;"> </span>'''). Straight quotation marks are also ]ically known as ''dumb quotes'' ('''<span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 150%;">" "</span>''').<ref>{{cite web |url= http://typedesk.com/2011/01/31/typographic-train-wrecks/ |title=Typographic Train Wrecks |author= David Spencer|date= 31 January 2011|work= Type Desk|publisher= Matador |accessdate= 2011-01-31}}</ref> To make typographic quotation marks easier to enter, publishing software often automatically converts typewriter quotation marks (and apostrophes) to typographic form during text entry (with or without the user being aware of it). ] behavior on macOS and iOS is to make this conversion. These are known as ''smart quotes'' ('''{{serif|{{large|...}}}}'''). Straight quotation marks are also ]ically called ''dumb quotes'' ('''{{serif|{{large|"..."}}}}''').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://type.fans/typographic-train-wrecks/?route=/2011/01/31/typographic-train-wrecks/ |title=Typographic Train Wrecks |first=Dave |last=Spencer |date=31 January 2011 |work=Glyphic |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref>


The basic method for producing smart quotes is based solely on whether or not a space is before the mark; if there is, it is rendered as an opening quote (assuming that such a mark would never occur inside or after a word), and if not, it is rendered as a closing quote. This method can cause errors, especially for contractions that start with an apostrophe. For example, it fails to correctly render the abbreviation for 2014 as ’14 (instead rendering as ‘14), or the archaic contraction of "it is" as ’tis (instead rendering as ‘tis). The method for producing smart quotes may be based solely on the character preceding the mark. If it is a space or another of a set of ] characters or if the mark begins a line, the mark will be rendered as an opening quote; if not, it will be rendered as a closing quote or apostrophe. This method can cause errors, especially for contractions that start with an apostrophe or text with nested quotations:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Text as typed
!Desired result
!Example erroneous results
|-
|{{mono|'14}}
|{{serif|’}}14
|{{serif|‘}}14
|-
|{{mono|I forgot my 'phone.}}
|{{serif|I forgot my ’phone.}}
|{{serif|I forgot my ‘phone.}}
|-
|{{mono|'Twas the night before Christmas&nbsp;...<ref>] (1823), "]", first published in the '']''. The in the '']'' exhibits the problem with "smart quotes".</ref>}}
|{{serif|’{{hairsp}}Twas the night before Christmas&nbsp;...}}
|{{serif|‘{{hairsp}}Twas the night before Christmas&nbsp;...}}
|-
|{{mono|"'Hello,' he said, 'to you'"}}
|{{serif|“{{thinsp}}‘Hello,’ he said, ‘to you’{{thinsp}}”}}
|{{plainlist|
* {{serif|“{{thinsp}}‘Hello,’ he said, ‘to you’{{thinsp}}“}}
* {{serif|“{{thinsp}}’Hello,’ he said, ‘to you’{{thinsp}}”}}
}}
|}
In Windows, if it is necessary to follow a space with a closing quotation mark when Smart Quotes is in effect, it is usually sufficient to input the character using the Alt code shown ] rather than typing {{keypress|"}} or {{keypress|'}}.


==See also== == See also ==
* ], the French quotation mark * ], a quotation mark used in a number of languages
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
Line 315: Line 307:
* ] * ]


==Notes== == References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{lacking ISBN|date=March 2015}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
*{{cite book
| editor-last = Barber
| editor-first = Katherine
| title = ]
| edition = 2d
| year = 2005
| publisher = ]
| isbn = 0-19-541816-6
}}
*{{Cite book
|last=Bringhurst |first=Robert |authorlink=Robert Bringhurst
|year=2002
|title=]
|edition=version 2.5
|location=Point Roberts, WA
|publisher=Hartley & Marks
|ISBN=9780881791327}}
*{{Cite book
|last=Butcher |first=Judith
|year=1992
|title=Copy-editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Authors and Publishers
|edition=3rd
|pages=264–66
|publisher=]
|location=London
|ISBN=0-521-40074-0}}
* {{cite book
| url=http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/course/punctuation/3_8.htm
| page=Punctuation&nbsp;3.8
| nopp=y
| author=University of Calgary English Department
| title=The Basic Elements of English
| date=July 26, 1999
| accessdate=December 19, 2010}}
{{FOLDOC}}


==External links== == External links ==
{{commons|Quotation mark}} {{Commons|Quotation mark}}
* *
* *
* – detailed discussion of the ASCII `backquote' problem * {{spaced ndash}} discussion of the problem of ASCII ] characters used as left quotation marks
* *
* *
*
*


{{Typography terms}} {{Typography terms}}
{{navbox punctuation}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Quotation Mark}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Quotation Mark}}
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 12:58, 11 December 2024

Usage of punctuation

“ ”
Double typographic quotes
‘ ’ " " ' '
Single typographic quotes Neutral double quotes Neutral single quotes

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 should be taken to be different from (or, at least, a modification of) that typically associated with it, and are often used in this way to express irony (for example, in the sentence 'The lunch lady plopped a glob of "food" onto my tray.' the quotation marks around the word food show it is being called that ironically). They are also sometimes used to emphasise a word or phrase, although this is usually considered incorrect.

Quotation marks are written as a pair of opening and closing marks in either of two styles: single (‘...’) or double (“...”). Opening and closing quotation marks may be identical in form (called neutral, vertical, straight, typewriter, or "dumb" quotation marks), or may be distinctly left-handed and right-handed (typographic or, colloquially, curly quotation marks); see Quotation mark § Summary table for details. Typographic quotation marks are usually used in manuscript and typeset text. Because typewriter and computer keyboards lack keys to directly enter typographic quotation marks, much of typed writing has neutral quotation marks. Some computer software has the feature often called "smart quotes" which can, sometimes imperfectly, convert neutral quotation marks to typographic ones.

The typographic closing double quotation mark and the neutral double quotation mark are similar to – and sometimes stand in for – the ditto mark and the double prime symbol. Likewise, the typographic opening single quotation mark is sometimes used to represent the ʻokina while either the typographic closing single quotation mark or the neutral single quotation mark may represent the prime symbol. Characters with different meanings are typically given different visual appearance in typefaces that recognize these distinctions, and they each have different Unicode code points. Despite being semantically different, the typographic closing single quotation mark and the typographic apostrophe have the same visual appearance and code point (U+2019), as do the neutral single quote and typewriter apostrophe (U+0027). (Despite the different code points, the curved and straight versions are sometimes considered multiple glyphs of the same character.)

History

In the first centuries of typesetting, quotations were distinguished merely by indicating the speaker, and this can still be seen in some editions of the Christian Bible. During the Renaissance, quotations were distinguished by setting in a typeface contrasting with the main body text (often italic type with roman, or the other way around). Long quotations were also set this way, at full size and full measure.

Quotation marks were first cut in metal type during the middle of the sixteenth century, and were used copiously by some printers by the seventeenth. In some Baroque and Romantic-period books, they would be repeated at the beginning of every line of a long quotation. When this practice was abandoned, the empty margin remained, leaving the modern form of indented block quotation.

In Early Modern English, quotation marks were used to denote pithy comments. They were used to quote direct speech as early as the late sixteenth century, and this practice became more common over time.

Usage

Quotations and speech

Single or double quotation marks denote either speech or a quotation. Double quotes are preferred in the United States, and also tend to be preferred in Australia (though the Australian Government prefers single quotes) and Canada. Single quotes are more usual in the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa, though double quotes are also common there, especially in journalistic works. In New Zealand, both styles are used.

A publisher's or author's style may take precedence over regional general preferences. The important idea is that the style of opening and closing quotation marks must be matched:

'Good morning, Frank,' said Hal.
"Good morning, Frank," said Hal.

For speech within speech, the other style is used as inner quotation marks:

'Hal said, "Good morning, Dave,"' recalled Frank.
"Hal said, 'Good morning, Dave,'" recalled Frank.

Sometimes quotations are nested in more levels than inner and outer quotation. Nesting levels up to five can be found in the Christian Bible. In these cases, questions arise about the form (and names) of the quotation marks to be used. The most common way is to simply alternate between the two forms, thus:

" ... ' ... " ... ' ... ' ... " ... ' ... "

If such a passage is further quoted in another publication, then all of their forms have to be shifted up by one level.

In many cases, quotations that span multiple paragraphs are set as block quotations, and thus do not require quotation marks. However, quotation marks are used for multiple-paragraph quotations in some cases, especially in narratives, where the convention in English is to give opening quotation marks to the first and each subsequent paragraph, using closing quotation marks only for the final paragraph of the quotation, as in the following example from Pride and Prejudice:

The letter was to this effect:

"My dear Lizzy,

"I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however, do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not.

"Yours, etc."

As noted above, in some older texts, the quotation mark is repeated every line, rather than every paragraph.

When quoted text is interrupted, such as with the phrase he said, a closing quotation mark is used before the interruption, and an opening quotation mark after. Commas are also often used before and after the interruption, more often for quotations of speech than for quotations of text:

"Everything", said Hal, "is going extremely well."

Quotation marks are not used for indirect speech. This is because indirect speech can be a paraphrase; it is not a direct quote, and in the course of any composition, it is important to document when one is using a quotation versus when one is just giving content, which may be paraphrased, and which could be open to interpretation.

For example, if Hal says: "All systems are functional", then, in indirect speech:

Incorrect: Hal said that "everything was going extremely well".
Correct: Hal said that everything was going extremely well.

Irony

Main article: Scare quotes

Another common use of quotation marks is to indicate or call attention to ironic, dubious, or non-standard words:

He shared his "wisdom" with me.
The lunch lady plopped a glob of "food" onto my tray.
He complained about too many "gummint" regulations.

Quotes indicating verbal irony, or other special use, are sometimes called scare quotes. They are sometimes gestured in oral speech using air quotes, or indicated in speech with a tone change or by replacement with supposed or so-called.

Signalling unusual usage

Quotation marks are also used to indicate that the writer realises that a word is not being used in its current commonly accepted sense:

Crystals somehow "know" which shape to grow into.

In addition to conveying a neutral attitude and to call attention to a neologism, or slang, or special terminology (also known as jargon), quoting can also indicate words or phrases that are descriptive but unusual, colloquial, folksy, startling, humorous, metaphoric, or contain a pun: Dawkins's concept of a meme could be described as an "evolving idea".

People also use quotation marks in this way to distance the writer from the terminology in question so as not to be associated with it, for example to indicate that a quoted word is not official terminology, or that a quoted phrase presupposes things that the author does not necessarily agree with; or to indicate special terminology that should be identified for accuracy's sake as someone else's terminology, as when a term (particularly a controversial term) pre-dates the writer or represents the views of someone else, perhaps without judgement (contrast this neutrally distancing quoting to the negative use of scare quotes).

The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition (2017), acknowledges this type of use but, in section 7.57, cautions against its overuse: "Quotation marks are often used to alert readers that a term is used in a nonstandard (or slang), ironic, or other special sense .... hey imply 'This is not my term,' or 'This is not how the term is usually applied.' Like any such device, scare quotes lose their force and irritate readers if overused."

Use–mention distinction

Main articles: Use–mention distinction and Metalanguage

Either quotation marks or italic type can emphasise that an instance of a word refers to the word itself rather than its associated concept.

Cheese is derived from milk. (concept)
"Cheese" is derived from a word in Old English. (word)
Cheese has calcium, protein, and phosphorus. (concept)
Cheese has three Es. (word)

In linguistics

Precise writing about language often uses italics for the word itself and single quotation marks for a gloss, with the two not separated by a comma or other punctuation, and with strictly logical quotation around the gloss – extraneous terminal punctuation outside the quotation marks – even in North American publications, which might otherwise prefer them inside:

Latin ovis 'sheep', canis 'dog', and equus 'horse' are nouns.

Titles of artistic works

Quotation marks, rather than italics, are generally used for the titles of shorter works. Whether these are single or double depends on the context; however, many styles, especially for poetry, prefer the use of single quotation marks.

  • Short fiction, poetry, etc.: Arthur C. Clarke's "The Sentinel"
  • Book chapters: The first chapter of 3001: The Final Odyssey is "Comet Cowboy"
  • Articles in books, magazines, journals, etc.: "Extra-Terrestrial Relays", Wireless World, October 1945
  • Album tracks, singles, etc.: David Bowie's "Space Oddity"

As a rule, the title of a whole publication is italicised (or, in typewritten text, underlined), whereas the titles of minor works within or a subset of the larger publication (such as poems, short stories, named chapters, journal papers, newspaper articles, TV show episodes, video game levels, editorial sections of websites, etc.) are written with quotation marks.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Dahl's short story "Taste" in Completely Unexpected Tales

Nicknames and false titles

Quotation marks can also set off a nickname embedded in an actual name, or a false or ironic title embedded in an actual title; for example, Nat "King" Cole, Frank "Chairman of the Board" Sinatra, or Simone Rizzo "Sam the Plumber" DeCavalcante.

Nonstandard usage

Quotes are sometimes used for emphasis in lieu of underlining or italics, most commonly on signs or placards. This usage can be confused with ironic or altered-usage quotation, sometimes with unintended humor. For example, For sale: "fresh" fish, "fresh" oysters, could be construed to imply that fresh is not used with its everyday meaning, or indeed to indicate that the fish or oysters are anything but fresh. As another example, Cashiers' desks open until noon for your "convenience" could be interpreted to mean that the convenience was for the bank employees, not the customers.

Order of punctuation

With regard to quotation marks adjacent to periods and commas, there are two styles of punctuation in widespread use. These two styles are most commonly referred to as "American" and "British", or sometimes "typesetters' quotation" and "logical quotation". Both systems have the same rules regarding question marks, exclamation points, colons, and semicolons. However, they differ in the treatment of periods and commas.

In all major forms of English, question marks, exclamation marks, semicolons, and any other punctuation (with the possible exceptions of periods and commas, as explained in the sections below) are placed inside or outside the closing quotation mark depending on whether they are part of the quoted material.

Did he say, "Good morning, Dave"?
No, he said, "Where are you, Dave?"
There are three major definitions of the word "gender": vernacular, sociological, and linguistic.
Type "C:" at the DOS prompt to switch from a floppy disk to a hard drive.

A convention is the use of square brackets to indicate content between the quotation marks that has been modified from, or was not present in, the original material.

British style

The prevailing style in the United Kingdom – called British style, logical quotation, and logical punctuation – is to include within quotation marks only those punctuation marks that appeared in the original quoted material and in which the punctuation mark fits with the sense of the quotation, but otherwise to place punctuation outside the closing quotation marks. Fowler's A Dictionary of Modern English Usage provides an early example of the rule: "All signs of punctuation used with words in quotation marks must be placed according to the sense."

When dealing with words-as-words, short-form works and sentence fragments, this style places periods and commas outside the quotation marks:

"Carefree", in general, means "free from care or anxiety".
The title of the song was "Gloria", which many already knew.
She said she felt "free from care and anxiety".

When dealing with direct speech, according to the British style guide Butcher's Copy-editing, if a quotation is broken by words of the main sentence, and then resumed, the punctuation before the break should follow the closing quote unless it forms part of the quotation. An exception may be made when writing fiction, where the first comma may be placed before the first closing quote. In non-fiction, some British publishers may permit placing punctuation that is not part of the person's speech inside the quotation marks but prefer that it be placed outside. Periods and commas that are part of the person's speech are permitted inside the quotation marks regardless of whether the material is fiction.

"Today," said Cinderella, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (fiction)
"Today", said the Prime Minister, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (preferred in non-fiction)
"Today I feel happy," said the woman, "carefree, and well." (regardless)

Hart's Rules and the Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors call the British style "new" quoting. It is also similar to the use of quotation marks in many other languages (including Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, Catalan, Dutch and German). A few US professional societies whose professions frequently employ various non-word characters, such as chemistry and computer programming, use the British form in their style guides (see ACS Style Guide).

According to the Jargon File from 1983, American hackers (members of a subculture of enthusiastic programmers) switched to what they later discovered to be the British quotation system because placing a period inside a quotation mark can change the meaning of data strings that are meant to be typed character-for-character.

Some American style guides specific to certain specialties also prefer the British style. For example, the journal Language of the Linguistic Society of America requires that the closing quotation mark precede the period or comma unless that period or comma is "a necessary part of the quoted matter". The websites Misplaced Pages and Pitchfork use logical punctuation.

American style

In the United States, the prevailing style is called American style, whereby commas and periods are almost always placed inside closing quotation marks. This is done because it results in closer spacing and what is judged to be a cleaner appearance. The American style is used by most newspapers, publishing houses, and style guides in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Canada as well.

When dealing with words-as-words, short-form works, and sentence fragments, standard American style places periods and commas inside the quotation marks:

"Carefree," in general, means "free from care or anxiety."
The title of the song was "Gloria," which many already knew.
She said she felt "free from care and anxiety."

This style also places periods and commas inside the quotation marks when dealing with direct speech, regardless of whether the work is fiction or non-fiction:

"Today," said Cinderella, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (fiction)
"Today," said the Prime Minister, "I feel free from care and anxiety." (non-fiction)

Nevertheless, many American style guides explicitly permit periods and commas outside the quotation marks when the presence of the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks leads to ambiguity, such as when describing keyboard input, as in the following example:

In the programming language Pascal, the statement "end.", including the period, signifies the end of a program.

The American style is recommended by the Modern Language Association's MLA Style Manual, the American Psychological Association's APA Publication Manual, the University of Chicago's The Chicago Manual of Style, the American Institute of Physics's AIP Style Manual, the American Medical Association's AMA Manual of Style, the American Political Science Association's APSA Style Manual, the Associated Press' The AP Guide to Punctuation, and the Canadian Public Works' The Canadian Style. This style is also used in some British news and fiction.

Ending the sentence

In both major styles, regardless of placement, only one end mark (?, !, or .) can end a sentence. Only the period, however, may not end a quoted sentence when it does not also end the enclosing sentence, except for literal text:

"Hello, world," she said. (both styles)
She said, "Hello, world." (both styles)
"Hello, world!" she exclaimed. (both styles)
"Is anybody out there?" she asked into the void. (both styles)

With narration of direct speech, both styles retain punctuation inside the quotation marks, with a full stop changing into a comma if followed by attributive matter, also known as a speech tag or annunciatory clause. Americans tend to apply quotations when signifying doubt of veracity (sarcastically or seriously), to imply another meaning to a word or to imply a cynical take on a paraphrased quotation, without punctuation at all.

Typographical considerations

Primary quotations versus secondary quotations

Primary quotations are orthographically distinguished from secondary quotations that may be nested within a primary quotation. British English often uses single quotation marks to identify the outermost text of a primary quotation versus double quotation marks for inner, nested quotations. By contrast, American English typically uses double quotation marks to identify the outermost text of a primary quotation versus single quotation marks for inner, nested quotations.

British usage does vary, with some authoritative sources such as The Economist and The Times recommending the same usage as in the US, whereas other authoritative sources, such as The King's English, Fowler's, and New Hart's Rules, recommend single quotation marks. In journals and newspapers, quotation mark double/single use often depends on the individual publication's house style.

Spacing

In English, when a quotation follows other writing on a line of text, a space precedes the opening quotation mark unless the preceding symbol, such as an em dash, requires that there be no space. When a quotation is followed by other writing on a line of text, a space follows the closing quotation mark unless it is immediately followed by other punctuation within the sentence, such as a colon or closing punctuation. (These exceptions are ignored by some Asian computer systems that systematically display quotation marks with the included spacing, as this spacing is part of the fixed-width characters.)

There is generally no space between an opening quotation mark and the following word, or a closing quotation mark and the preceding word. When a double quotation mark or a single quotation mark immediately follows the other, proper spacing for legibility may suggest that a thin space (&thinsp;) or larger non-breaking space (&nbsp;) be inserted.

So Dave actually said, "He said, 'Good morning' "? (thin-space)
Yes, he did say, "He said, 'Good morning.' " (non-breaking space)

This is not common practice in mainstream publishing, which will generally use more precise kerning. It is more common in online writing, although using CSS to create the spacing by kerning is more semantically appropriate in Web typography than inserting extraneous spacing characters.

Non-language-related usage

Straight quotation marks (or italicised straight quotation marks) are often used to approximate the prime and double prime, e.g. when signifying feet and inches or arcminutes and arcseconds. For instance, 5 feet and 6 inches is often written 5' 6"; and 40 degrees, 20 arcminutes, and 50 arcseconds is written 40° 20' 50". When available, however, primes should be used instead (e.g. 5′ 6″, and 40° 20′ 50″). Prime and double prime are not present in most code pages, including ASCII and Latin-1, but are present in Unicode, as characters U+2032 ′ PRIME and U+2033 ″ DOUBLE PRIME. The HTML character entity references are &prime; and &Prime;, respectively.

Double quotation marks, or pairs of single ones, also represent the ditto mark.

Straight single and double quotation marks are used in most programming languages to delimit strings or literal characters, collectively known as string literals. In some languages (e.g. Pascal) only one type is allowed, in some (e.g. C and its derivatives) both are used with different meanings and in others (e.g. Python) both are used interchangeably. In some languages, if it is desired to include the same quotation marks used to delimit a string inside the string, the quotation marks are doubled. For example, to represent the string eat 'hot' dogs in Pascal one uses 'eat ''hot'' dogs'. Other languages use an escape character, often the backslash, as in 'eat \'hot\' dogs'.

In the TeX typesetting program, left double quotes are produced by typing two back-ticks (``) and right double quotes by typing two apostrophes (''). This is a continuation of a typewriter tradition of using ticks for opening quotation marks; see Quotation mark § Typewriters and early computers.

Typing quotation marks on a computer keyboard

Standard English computer keyboard layouts inherited the single and double straight quotation marks from the typewriter (the single quotation mark also doubling as an apostrophe), and they do not include individual keys for left-handed and right-handed typographic quotation marks. In character encoding terms, these characters are labeled unidirectional. However, most computer text-editing programs provide a "smart quotes" feature to automatically convert straight quotation marks into bidirectional punctuation, though sometimes imperfectly (see § Smart quotes). Generally, this smart quote feature is enabled by default, and it can be turned off in an "options" or "preferences" dialog. Some websites do not allow typographic quotation marks or apostrophes in posts. One can skirt these limitations, however, by using the HTML character codes or entities or the other key combinations in the following table. In Windows, AutoHotkey scripts can be used to assign simpler key combinations to opening and closing quotation marks.

How to type typographic quotation marks (and apostrophes) on a computer keyboard
  Windows Alt code combinations macOS key combinations Linux (X) keys Unicode point HTML entity HTML decimal
Single opening  ‘  Alt+0145 (on number pad) ⌥ Opt+] Compose+<+' or Alt Gr+⇧ Shift+V U+2018 &lsquo; &#8216;
Single closing
(& apostrophe)
 ’  Alt+0146 (on number pad) ⌥ Opt+⇧ Shift+] Compose+>+' or Alt Gr+⇧ Shift+B U+2019 &rsquo; &#8217;
Double opening  “  Alt+0147 (on number pad) ⌥ Opt+[ Compose+<+" or Alt Gr+v U+201C &ldquo; &#8220;
Double closing  ”  Alt+0148 (on number pad) ⌥ Opt+⇧ Shift+[ Compose+>+" or Alt Gr+b U+201D &rdquo; &#8221;

(For additional characters used in other languages, see Quotation mark § Summary table.)

Smart quotes

To make typographic quotation marks easier to enter, publishing software often automatically converts typewriter quotation marks (and apostrophes) to typographic form during text entry (with or without the user being aware of it). Out-of-the-box behavior on macOS and iOS is to make this conversion. These are known as smart quotes (“...”). Straight quotation marks are also retronymically called dumb quotes ("...").

The method for producing smart quotes may be based solely on the character preceding the mark. If it is a space or another of a set of hard-coded characters or if the mark begins a line, the mark will be rendered as an opening quote; if not, it will be rendered as a closing quote or apostrophe. This method can cause errors, especially for contractions that start with an apostrophe or text with nested quotations:

Text as typed Desired result Example erroneous results
'14 ’14 ‘14
I forgot my 'phone. I forgot my ’phone. I forgot my ‘phone.
'Twas the night before Christmas ... ’ Twas the night before Christmas ... ‘ Twas the night before Christmas ...
"'Hello,' he said, 'to you'" “ ‘Hello,’ he said, ‘to you’ ”
  • “ ‘Hello,’ he said, ‘to you’ “
  • “ ’Hello,’ he said, ‘to you’ ”

In Windows, if it is necessary to follow a space with a closing quotation mark when Smart Quotes is in effect, it is usually sufficient to input the character using the Alt code shown above rather than typing " or '.

See also

References

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  15. Peters, Pam (2007). The Cambridge guide to Australian English usage (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. p. 670. ISBN 978-0-521-87821-0. OCLC 73994040.
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  17. "Grammar and punctuation".
  18. Jeremiah 27:1–11; 29:1–28; 29:30–32; 34:1–5; Ezekiel 27:1–36
  19. Stilman, Ann (1997). Grammatically Correct. F+W Media. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-89879-776-3.
  20. "The Chicago Manual of Style Online" (17th ed.). University of Chicago Press. 2017. Section 7.57. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  21. "Style Sheet", Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics, (undated), p. 2
  22. ^ "Language Style Sheet" (PDF). Language. Washington, DC: Linguistic Society of America. 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2018. 4. Punctuation: a. ... The second member of a pair of quotation marks should precede any other adjacent mark of punctuation, unless the other mark is a necessary part of the quoted matter .... 6. Cited Forms: ... e. After the first occurrence of non-English forms, provide a gloss in single quotation marks: Latin ovis 'sheep' is a noun. No comma precedes the gloss and no comma follows, unless necessary for other reasons: Latin ovis 'sheep', canis 'dog', and equus 'horse' are nouns.
  23. ^ Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers. Council of Biology Editors / Cambridge University Press. 2002. ISBN 9780521471541. Retrieved 21 December 2018. In the British style (OUP 1983), all signs of punctuation used with words and quotation marks must be placed according to the sense.
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  27. ^ Yagoda, Ben (12 May 2011). "The Rise of "Logical Punctuation"". Slate. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
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  33. Strunk, William Jr.; White, E. B. (2000). The Elements of Style (4th ed.). Pearson Education. p. 36. ISBN 9780205313426.
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  36. Frederick Hamilton (1920: 31) A Primer of Information about the Marks of Punctuation and Their Use Both Grammatically and Typographically.
  37. Other style guides and reference volumes include the following: U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual (2008, p. 217), US Department of Education's IES Style Guide (2005, p. 43), The Canadian Style: A Guide to Writing and Editing (1997, p. 148), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, International Reading Association Style Guide, American Dialect Society, Association of Legal Writing Directors' ALWD Citation Manual, The McGraw-Hill Desk Reference by K. D. Sullivan (2006, p. 52), Webster's New World Punctuation by Geraldine Woods (2005, p. 68), The New Oxford Guide to Writing by Thomas S. Kane (1994, pp. 278, 305, 306), Merriam-Webster's Manual for Writers and Editors by Merriam-Webster (1998, p. 27), Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers by Lynn Troyka, et al. (1993, p. 517), Science and Technical Writing by Philip Rubens (2001, p. 208), Health Professionals Style Manual by Shirley Fondiller and Barbara Nerone (2006, p. 72), The Gregg Reference Manual by William A. Sabin (2000, p. 247), The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus(2007, p. 61), The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage by Allan M. Siegal, The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge (2004, p. 788), The Copyeditor's Handbook by Amy Einsohn (2000, p. 111), The Grammar Bible by Michael Strumpf, Auriel Douglas (2004, p. 446), Elements of Style by William Strunk and Elwyn B. White (1979, p. 36), Little English Handbook by Edward P. J. Corbett (1997, p. 135), Commonsense Grammar and Style by Phillip S. Sparks (2004, p. 18), Handbook of Technical Writing by Gerald Alred et al. (2006, pp. 83, 373), MIT Guide To Science and Engineering Communication by J. Paradis and M. L. Zimmerman (2002, p. 314), Guide to Writing Empirical Papers by G. David Garson (2002, p. 178), Modern English by A. L. Lazarus, A. MacLeish, and H. W. Smith (1971, p. 71), The Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers (8th ed.) by John Ruszkiewicz et al., Comma Sense by Richard Lederer, John Shore (2007, p. 138), Write right! by Jan Venolia (2001, p. 82), Scholastic Journalism by Earl English and Clarence Hach (1962. p. 75), Grammar in Plain English by Harriet Diamond and Phyllis Dutwin (2005, p. 199), Crimes Against the English Language by Jill Meryl Levy (2005, p. 21), The Analytical Writer by Adrienne Robins (1997, p. 524), Writing with a Purpose by James McNab McCrimmon (1973, p. 415), Writing and Reporting News by Carole Rich (2000, p. 60), The Lawyer's Guide to Writing Well by Tom Goldstein (2003, p. 163), Woodroof's Quotations, Commas And Other Things English by D. K. Woodroof (2005, pp. 10–12), Journalism Language and Expression by Sundara Rajan (2005, p. 76), The Business Writer's Handbook by Gerald Alred et al. (2006, p. 451), The Business Style Handbook by Helen Cunningham (2002, p. 213), Essentials of English by Vincent Hopper (2000, p. 127).
  38. March, David (19 May 2011). "'The British style'? 'The American way?' They are not so different | Mind your language". the Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
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  40. Merriam-Webster (2001). Merriam-Webster's Guide to Punctuation and Style (2nd ed.). Merriam-Webster. ISBN 978-0-87779-921-4.
  41. "American and British English". The Economist Style Guide (Fourth ed.). London: Hamish Hamilton Ltd. 1996. p. 85. ISBN 0241135567. Tim Austin, Richard Dixon (2003) The Times Style and Usage Guide. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0007145055
  42. "Quotation Marks. Fowler, H. W. 1908. The King's English". Bartleby.com. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  43. "Character entity references in HTML 4". W3.org. World Wide Web Consortium. 24 December 1999. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  44. "Unicode Character 'RIGHT SINGLE QUOTATION MARK' (U+2019)". FileFormat.info. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  45. "General Punctuation: Range: 2000–206F" (PDF). Unicode.org. Unicode Consortium. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  46. Spencer, Dave (31 January 2011). "Typographic Train Wrecks". Glyphic. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  47. Moore, Clement Clarke (1823), "A Visit from Saint Nicholas", first published in the Troy Sentinel. The quotation in the Huffington Post exhibits the problem with "smart quotes".

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  •   ‘ ’   “ ”   ' '   " "   quotation mark 
  •   ‹ ›   « »   guillemet 
  •   ( )      { }   ⟨ ⟩   bracket 
  •   ”   ditto mark 
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