| Quotation marks enclose direct quotations. Only the actual words spoken should go within the quotation marks. |
He
said, "Yes, you may go."
|
Do
not use quotation marks if the words are paraphrased.
He said that I may go.
|
| Single
quotes are used to indicate a quote within a quote. |
The
proud father replied, "My baby said 'Daddy.'"
|
| Periods
and commas go inside the closing of quotation marks |
"You
may go," Mother said, "as long as you are home in time
for dinner."
|
| Exclamation
marks and question marks are used inside the quotes when they
apply to the quoted material and outside the quotes when they
apply to the whole sentence. |
Jane
asked, "Are we going to Disney World?"
Did Jane say, "We're going to Disney World"?
|
| Colons and semicolons go outside quotation marks. |
Ed
suggested, "Let's go to the park"; however, Jim was too
tired.
|
| Quotation marks enclose words used in a special sense. |
He
had a reputation for being a "fast talker" who used high-pressure
sales tactics.
The child's "horse" was a mop she pretended to ride.
|
| Quotation marks are used to enclose short passages being quoted |
In
"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," T.S. Eliot reminds
us,"In a minute there is time / For decisions and revisions
which a minute will reverse."
|
| Quotation marks are used to enclose titles of |
· articles
· short stories
· short poems
· songs
· chapters
· speeches
· episodes of radio or television series
|
|
|
|
| Quotation Mark Practice |
| Place
the quotation marks and the correct punctuation where needed
in the following sentences. |
- Jenny said I'm ready
- Bill asked Where are you going
- The article in the newspaper was entitled How to Avoid Mail Fraud
- Did John actually say I'm dropping my class
- The second chapter in the biology book is entitled The Function of the Cell
- I will be there she replied, but I'll be a little late
- Please begged the child tell me a story
- Did she ask Who wants to go with me
- If you want to go she cautioned you must be here by 7:00
- Joan asked How much longer do I have to wait
- There was nobody there she responded so I left
- Dave yelled stop just in time to stop the child from walking into the street
- He sighed and said Finally, we can leave
- I know all the words to the Star Spangled Banner she replied.
- I'll see you at the meeting tonight Susan said
- We can leave tonight she replied or we can wait until tomorrow
- What time are you coming Jane asked
- She responded The Wasteland is the saddest poem
- Did he say Make sure you're home by midnight
- She said Remember to bring the bread however, he did forget
- Read the chapter carefully the professor said or you will be lost during the next lecture
- Has he already gone she asked
- Joan suggested Let's go ice skating however, she had forgotten about John's broken ankle
- The announcer yelled It's a home run
- When does the movie start she asked
(click here to see answer key)
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