Quotation Marks [ " " ]

1) Use double quotation marks to set off a direct quote.

For example: He specifically said, “Do not publish the report until after the meeting.”

a) Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.

For example:

• “When will you be here?” he asked.
• But: He asked when you will be there.

b) Periods and ending commas go inside quotation marks (and inside single quotes).

For example:

• The opinion polls changed from “Approve,” to “Do not approve,” to “Approve” again in less than 36 hours.
• She said, “No deal!”
• He said, “She said, ‘No deal!’”

2) A question mark should be placed inside the quote if a question is in quotation marks.

For example: She asked, “Will you represent him at the hearing?”

Note: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks.

3) Use only one question mark when you have a question outside and inside a quote, and place it inside the quotation mark.

For example: Did she say, “May I go?”

4) Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

For example: He said, “The judge said, ‘Do not speak to me that way.’”