In the English language, there are various punctuation marks, including commas, semicolons, dashes, periods, question marks, apostrophes, hyphens, and parentheses. There are also quotation marks, and as is the case with the other punctuation marks, these are used for an express purpose. Moreover, by learning the rules governing the usage of quotation marks, writers can avoid errors that will detract from the overall quality of their writing, whether they are writing nonfiction or fiction.
Use Quotation Marks in Pairs in the English Language
When inserting quotation marks, remember that they are always used in pairs, never singularly. If there is one, there must be another. In other words, think in terms of “open quote” and “close quote.” One set shows where the quote begins, the other where the quote ends. Moreover, make sure to use the correct form of quotation marks to indicate the beginning and the end of a quote; for example, note the following two sentences:
- Tom said, “Sue, I want to buy a new wide-screen to watch the Falcons beat the Saints on Saturday.” (Correct)
- Tom said, ” Sue, I want to buy a new wide-screen to watch the Falcons beat the Saints on Saturday.“ (Incorrect)
Use Quotation Marks to Indicate Direct Quotes
A direct quote, in contrast to an indirect quote, consists of someone’s exact words; and quotation marks are used to set off such quotes from other text. This rule applies not only when a writer is quoting another person’s words, for instance, from a book or an interview for use in an essay or article, but also when a writer is writing dialogue and putting words into the mouth, so to speak, of a fictionalized character. Note, however, the variations in the quotation-mark placement in the following pairs of sentences:
- Sue said, “Tom, you’re an idiot if you think we’re going to buy a new TV expressly for some stupid football game.”
- “Tom,” Sue said, “you’re an idiot if you think we’re going to buy a new TV expressively for some stupid football game.”
- “Ah, come on, Baby,” Tom whined, “please let me buy a new TV.”
- Tom whined, “Ah, come on, Baby, please let me buy a new TV.”
- “Don’t you look at me with that hurt-little-boy expression,” Sue said. “It won’t change a thing.”
- “Don’t you look at me, “ Sue said, “with that hurt-little-boy expression. It won’t change a thing.”
Use Quotation Marks to Call Attention to Words
Quotation marks are also used to set off or call attention to words in a sentence, for example:
- Many students commonly confuse certain words, for instance, “their” with “there” or sometimes “they’re.”
- Quite often students spell “a lot,” which is a combination of two words (an article and a noun) and means “many” or “a great deal,” as “alot,” which isn’t even a word. Of course, they are probably confusing it with “allot,” which is one word; however, “allot” means to “set aside, allocate, assign, apportion, or ration.”
Note: In some books, especially textbooks, italics are often used instead of quotations to call attention to specific words or phrases, for example, "Tom's" is emphasized with italics in the following sentence:
- One use of the apostrophe is to show possession, for instance: Tom’s new wide-screen TV was delivered on Friday.
Use Quotation Marks for Titles of Short Written Works
While titles of longer written works such as books, newspapers, and journals are italicized, titles of shorter works such as articles, short stories, poems, and the like are enclosed in quotation marks. However, remember that books contain chapters, magazines contain articles, and anthologies contain multiple stories, poems, and/or essays, so when referring to shorter works within longer works, enclose the titles of the shorter works in quotation marks. Note the following examples:
- People (magazine)
- “Weight-loss Secrets of the Stars” (article)
- Grammar for the Grammatically Challenged (book)
- “Using Quotation Marks” (book chapter)
- Anthology of American Literature (book)
- “Still I Rise” (poem)
- “To Build a Fire” (short story)
- The Atlanta Journal and Constitution (newspaper)
- “Examining the War in Afghanistan” (article)
Use Quotation Marks for Titles of Television Programs and Songs
Although titles of movies, films, plays, symphonies, and musicals are italicized, titles of television programs and songs are enclosed in quotation marks, for example:
- No Country for Old Men (movie)
- Phantom of the Opera (operatic drama)
- Romeo and Juliet (play)
- “American Idol” (television show)
- “Oprah” (television show)
- “The Star Spangled Banner” (song)
- “Margaritaville” (song)
The Use of Single Quotation Marks In Writing
Single quotation marks (‘ and ’) are used for quotes within quotes or when referring to the title of a short work, for instance:
- The instructor said, “In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus tells Scout and Jem, ‘It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’” (Note the use of a single quotation mark after the quote from Lee’s novel and double quotation marks after the instructor’s words.
- Sue said, “Tom, I am going to watch ‘American Idol’ on our new wide-screen TV.”
In summary, by learning the rules governing the usage of punctuation marks, including quotation marks, writers can avoid errors that will distract readers and prevent them from understanding and fully appreciating the content of their works, whether nonfiction or fiction.
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
