Post by jeannerené on Jun 2, 2007 19:55:24 GMT -8
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation:
www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/quotes.asp
QUOTATION MARKS
Rule 1. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.
Examples
The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again within 30 seconds.
She said, "Hurry up."
She said, "He said, 'Hurry up.'"
Rule 2. The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks.
Examples
She asked, "Will you still be my friend?"
Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war"?
Here the question is outside the quote.
NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after war is used.
Rule 3. When you have a question outside quoted material AND inside quoted material, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.
Example Did she say, "May I go?"
Rule 4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.
Example He said, "Danea said, 'Do not treat me that way.'"
Rule 5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.
Examples
"When will you be here?" he asked.
He asked when you will be there.
Rule 6. Do not use quotation marks with quoted material that is more than three lines in length. Introduce the quotation with a colon and leave a blank line above and below the quoted material. Single space the quoted material and indent one-half inch on both the left and right margin.
Rule 7. When you are quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake or presents material in a confusing way, insert the term sic in italics and enclose it in brackets. Sic means, "This is the way the original material was."
Examples She wrote, "I would rather die then [sic] be seen wearing the same outfit as my sister has on."
Should be than, not then.
www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/quotes.asp
QUOTATION MARKS
Rule 1. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.
Examples
The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again within 30 seconds.
She said, "Hurry up."
She said, "He said, 'Hurry up.'"
Rule 2. The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks.
Examples
She asked, "Will you still be my friend?"
Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war"?
Here the question is outside the quote.
NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after war is used.
Rule 3. When you have a question outside quoted material AND inside quoted material, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.
Example Did she say, "May I go?"
Rule 4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.
Example He said, "Danea said, 'Do not treat me that way.'"
Rule 5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.
Examples
"When will you be here?" he asked.
He asked when you will be there.
Rule 6. Do not use quotation marks with quoted material that is more than three lines in length. Introduce the quotation with a colon and leave a blank line above and below the quoted material. Single space the quoted material and indent one-half inch on both the left and right margin.
Rule 7. When you are quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake or presents material in a confusing way, insert the term sic in italics and enclose it in brackets. Sic means, "This is the way the original material was."
Examples She wrote, "I would rather die then [sic] be seen wearing the same outfit as my sister has on."
Should be than, not then.
