Quote In A Quote
Apa Quote In A Quote
A quotation is an exact reproduction of another speaker's or writer's words. A quotation is different from a paraphrase, which is a restatement of someone else's.
Almost all of us have found ourselves confused with double and single quotation marks. When do we use single quotation marks? Where does the punctuation go with single quotation marks?
With just a few rules and examples, you will feel surer about your decisions. Rule: Use single quotation marks inside double quotation marks when you have a quotation within a quotation. Example: Bobbi told me, “Delia said, ‘This will never work.’ ” Notice that what Delia said was enclosed in single quotation marks. Notice also that the period was placed inside both the single and the double quotation marks.
The American rule is that periods always go inside all quotation marks. As a courtesy, make sure there is visible space at the start or end of a quotation between adjacent single and double quotation marks. Example: Bobbi said, “I read the article, ‘A Poor Woman’s Journey.’ ” Rule: Question marks and exclamation points, unlike periods, follow logic with their placement.
If a quote inside a quote is a question or exclamation, place the question mark or exclamation point inside the single quotation marks. Examples: Bobbi said, “Delia asked, ‘Will this remote control work on my TV?’ ” Bobbi said, “Delia shouted, ‘Get your hands off me!’ ” Rule: If the question is inside the double quotation marks, place the question mark between the single and double quotation marks. Examples: Bobbi asked, “Did Delia say, ‘This will never work’?” (Because you will rarely need an exclamation point within the double quotation marks and not within the single quotation marks, there is little sense discussing this.) Rule: In the above three examples, only one ending punctuation mark was used with the quotation marks. The rule is that the “stronger” mark wins. Question marks and exclamation points are considered stronger than the period. Posted on Friday, January 26, 2007, at 1:18 am If you wish to respond to another reader's question or comment, please click its corresponding 'REPLY' button.
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the 'Comment' box at the bottom of this page. Jane, I enjoyed your examples and learned a lot from this blog. My room mates and I are currently in Eng 101 in Washington state. Boyka undisputed 4 full movie.
However, I think you made a minor error when giving the example of “The Raven” being quoted inside of quotes. Your explanation states that single quotes should be used inside of double quotes, but your example reads similarly to this: He said “I enjoyed “The Raven'”. Unless I am mistaken, you inadvertently placed double quotes in front of “The Raven’.” I know this post is old, but I feel that people still refer to it; For example, that is why I am here. I do not mean to unduly criticize. I believe it was just a simple mistake, and if so, requires a simple correction. Jane, I know this was over 3 years ago, but I have a question about what you are typing, and hopefully you still see comments made here. You seem to be placing a space between the single quotation mark and the double quotation mark.
Is this just to demonstrate that there are 3 quotation marks (the single and double), or is there actually supposed to be a space placed between them? So, should it be ‘ ” or ‘”? By the way, I didn’t learn that punctuation should be placed inside the quotation marks that end a sentence until college.
It is not surprising that people don’t know these rules. If you see this, and respond, thank you for your help.