Rules for Using Quotation Marks Within a Sentence

The toughest part about writing hubs that give advice on using the correct punctuation in a sentence is to use it correctly in my own hubs. You may find all kinds of mistakes that I've made when you read my hubs although I do try to take the time to make revisions when needed! I have taken a few English classes in college and just a few years ago took a class with the Institute of Children's Literature. I kept my textbooks and thought I would share some of what I learned. This hub is about the correct use of quotation marks.

A.) You can use quotation marks to indicate a title, i.e., "The Raven" or "Life in the Word".

B.) Quotation marks are also used within a direct quote: Mary said, "Always brush your teeth before you go to bed." Use the quotation marks at the beginning and end of the sentence placing the period, question mark or exclamation mark inside the quotes.

C.) Do not use quotation marks within a indirect quote. Example: Mary said to always brush your teeth before you go to bed.

The difference in example A is that Mary is the one talking, and in example B someone else is talking.

D.) You can use quotation marks within a sentence, either at the beginning of a sentence, in the middle of a sentence, or at the end of a sentence. Example: Mary said, "Always brush your teeth before you go to bed." You can use it in the middle of a sentence. Example: "Brush your teeth before you go to bed," Mary said, "and please don't forget!" At the end of the sentence: Dad walked in just as Mary said, "I will read you a bedtime story."

E.) When using quotation marks in a sentence that ends with a question mark or an exclamation mark omit the comma. Example: "Did you brush your teeth last night?" Mary asked. There is no comma used after the question mark. Same for a exclamation mark. Example: "I don't want to brush my teeth!" the children said. Please note- This is used only when the indication of the speaker is at the end of the sentence.

F.) Use quotation marks to set off a title that is used within a quote. Example: "I just finished reading, 'Gone With the Wind,' " Mary said. In this instance we are using single quotes around the title and double quotes after the title and at the beginning of the sentence. (note also the placement of commas)

G.) Semicolons should be placed outside end quotation marks. Example:The children said Mary was an "old grouch"; they didn't really mean what they said. You have 2 complete phrases in this sentence which constitutes using the semi colon.

I think I've covered most of the rules when using quotation marks correctly. Please leave a comment if you can think of anything I may have missed or if I have totally confused you. It's not easy to know how to use proper punctuation in a sentence.