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For example: He specifically said, “Do not publish the report until after the meeting.”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