You can quote me

Inverted commas are also known as quotation marks


They can be single ‘ ...’ or double “...”

There doesn’t seem to be any set rule except when using both in one sentence, as in:

He questioned “Why would Jack say ‘You shouldn’t do that’ ?”


In this instance the first quotation mark is double and the inner quotation is in single quote marks.

Note the question mark is inside the final quotation mark.


Even in the case of single use of quotation marks the punctuation is inside the quote marks

“Will you be my best friend?”


The only time the end punctuation is outside the quote marks is when you might use quotes to draw attention to a phrase.

For example: I don’t believe in ‘mercy killing’.


If a quotation uses poor grammar use [sic.] to note it.

She wrote, "I would rather die then [sic] be seen wearing the same outfit as my sister."
She should have used than instead of then. [1]


Quote marks can also be used to denote sarcasm or irony. [2] as in

In his “wisdom”...

Quesgtion: What is the difference between Irony and sarcasm?

Irony is conveying something by saying the exact opposite. Sarcasm is meant to be hurtful an mocking. Irony is not. [3]

Quotation marks have other uses as well.

For example you might put a nickname in quote marks. Edward “Carji” Greeves.

Or to denote the title of a book. Peter Robinsons “Aftermath”

Or for “unusual” usage. My dog just seems to “know” when I am approaching the house.

You can even use verbal quote marks although thankfully the practice appears to be dying out.

Put your arms out shoulder wide and head height and waggle the first two fingers on each hand as you say the “quote”. It’s very silly and you look like a twot.

To summarise:

You can use single or double quote marks, you can use them for direct quotes, or to emphasise a word, you can use them verbally. The main rule is punctuation (full stop, question mark, etc.) goes inside the closing quote marks except on rare occasions.


[1 Quotes,Grammarbook, viewed 9 october 2011< http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/quotes.asp>


[2] Quotation mark,Wikpedia, viewed 9 october 2011,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark>


[3] Sarcasm-vs-irony, UsingEnglish, viewed 9 october 2011,<http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/67799-sarcasm-vs-irony.html>