Quotation marks are primarily used to show that words or passages are being reproduced exactly as spoken or written by another source. They are less frequently referred to as inverted commas.
Here are five common uses of quotation marks.
1. To show information that is a direct quotation (a person’s exact words)
Napoleon Bonaparte famously declared “You can not lead a battle if you think you look silly on a horse.”
Jack Kornfield wrote that “No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again today.”
My mother always says that “debt is ruin.”
Remember not to use quotation marks when you are only paraphrasing.
Exact Quote: Mark Twain said “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Incorrect paraphrase: Mark Twain once remarked that “The day you are born and the day you find out why are the two most important days in one’s life.”
2. To enclose the titles of short works, such as poems, short stories, songs, and articles.
Katie stood over her brother’s grave and softly sang “Time,” his favorite Pink Floyd song.
If only all criminals felt as guilty as the narrator from Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
When the room finally quieted down, Amy took a deep breath and recited the poem “If—” by Rudyard Kipling.
Note: Titles of longer works such as books, rather than being italicized, are sometimes placed within quotation marks, depending on the style guide you follow. For example, AP style calls for quotation marks when writing the titles of books:
When I read Stephen King’s “It,” I had nightmares about evil clowns for a month.
3. To show direct speech or dialogue
Tony stared at Army and said, “I love you so very much.”
Emma stared coldly at Vincent and muttered, “I know it was you.”
“You deserve this,” Shane yelled.
4. To give emphasis to a word in a sentence
We call it a “bus,” not a school bus.
Remember to say “please” and “thank you.”
5. To indicate a phrase or word that is jargon or slang, or to show that a word is being used sarcastically
The school principal called the students’ revolt a “minor disturbance,” but it was a full-on riot.
William called me his “blud.” He explained to me that this means “friend” in inner-city London.
I could tell by his flushed cheeks, unblinking eyes, and slanted brows that he was “happy” to see me.
Notes
- American English (AmE) and British English (BrE) treat quotation marks differently. AmE favors double quotation marks, while BrE favors single quotation marks:
AmE: Johnny said, “I’d rather stay home.”
BrE: Johnny said, ‘I’d rather stay home.’
- Use single quotation marks for a quotation within another quotation.
Incorrect: The witness told reporters “I didn’t see anything unusual, but I did hear someone shouting “Wait! Wait!” and then I heard a car peel away.”
Correct: The witness told reporters “I didn’t see anything unusual, but I did hear someone shouting ‘Wait! Wait!’ and then I heard a car peel away.”
- Place punctuation marks inside quotation marks.
Incorrect: “William Shakespeare was not only a brilliant playwright”, Dr. Murray said, “but a sensitive soul”.
Correct: “William Shakespeare was not only a brilliant playwright,” Dr. Murray said, “but a sensitive soul.”
Note: The advice above applies to American usage; British usage usually places punctuation marks outside of quotation marks.
- Punctuation is not needed to introduce a quotation if the quotation blends in with the rest of the sentence.
Not: Dumbledore declared that, “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
Not: Dumbledore declared that: “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”:
But: Dumbledore declared that “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
- Capitalize the first word in a quotation when the quoted material is a full sentence.
Incorrect: Dave said, “do you mind if I borrow your running shoes?”
Correct: Dave said, “Do you mind if I borrow your running shoes?”
- Don’t capitalize the first word in a quotation if the quoted material is not a complete sentence
Sally reminded him that getting fired “wasn’t the worst thing to happen to him…this week.”
- If a quotation ends with a question mark, a comma is not needed for a dialogue tag.
Incorrect: “Will you care for me forever?,” he asked her.
Correct: “Will you care for me forever?” he asked her.