Quotation Marks With Direct Quotes

Proper punctuation can make all the difference in how a sentence is interpreted, and using quotation marks correctly is an important part of this. Here are the top 99 punctuation rules with quotation marks:

Enclose direct quotes in quotation marks.
Place commas and periods inside the quotation marks.
Place colons and semicolons outside the quotation marks.
Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
Use double quotation marks for direct quotes.
Use brackets to show any changes to a quote, such as adding or changing words.
Use ellipses to show omitted words or phrases in a quote.
Use a question mark or exclamation point inside the quotation marks if it applies to the quote.
Use a question mark or exclamation point outside the quotation marks if it applies to the sentence as a whole.
Use quotation marks for titles of short works, such as articles or poems.

Do not use quotation marks for indirect quotes.
Use a comma before an indirect quote.
Use a colon before an indirect quote if it follows a complete sentence.
Use a comma after an introductory phrase before an indirect quote.
Use the present tense when introducing an indirect quote.
Use a reporting verb to introduce an indirect quote.
Use ellipses to show omitted words or phrases in an indirect quote.
Use brackets to show any changes to an indirect quote.
Use a period or comma at the end of an indirect quote depending on the sentence.
Use a question mark or exclamation point outside the quotation marks if it applies to the sentence as a whole.

Use quotation marks for dialogue.
Start a new paragraph for each new speaker in dialogue.
Use dialogue tags to attribute speech to a character.
Place the dialogue tag before the quote.
Use a comma to separate the dialogue tag from the quote.
Use a period or comma inside the quotation marks depending on the sentence.
Use a question mark or exclamation point inside the quotation marks if it applies to the quote.
Use a question mark or exclamation point outside the quotation marks if it applies to the sentence as a whole.
Use different paragraphs for dialogue and action.
Use ellipses to show interrupted speech or trailing off.

Use quotation marks for titles of short works, such as articles or poems.
Use italics for titles of longer works, such as books or movies.
Use quotation marks for names of articles or chapters within a larger work.
Use single quotation marks for nicknames or titles of short stories.
Use quotation marks for words used in a special sense or for emphasis.
Use quotation marks for scare quotes or ironic use of a word.
Do not use quotation marks for common expressions or cliches.
Use quotation marks for a word used as a word.
Do not use quotation marks for a word used as an object.
Use quotation marks for nonstandard or made-up words.

Use quotation marks with other punctuation marks as needed.
Use question marks or exclamation points inside the quotation marks if they apply to the quote.
Use a colon or semicolon outside the quotation marks for a complete sentence that introduces a quote.
Use commas to separate items in a list inside the quotation marks.
Use parentheses for additional information outside the quotation marks.
Use brackets for changes to a quote or for additional information inside the quotation marks.
Use ellipses to show omitted words or phrases inside the quotation marks.
Use ellipses to show trailing off outside the quotation marks.
Use a dash to show interruption or abrupt change of thought within the quote.
Use a dash to show attribution of dialogue to a different speaker.

Follow the style guide for the specific format or publication.
Use double quotation marks for American English.
Use single quotation marks for British English.
Use guillemets (« ») for French typography.
Use angled quotation marks („ “) for German typography.
Use corner brackets (「」) for Japanese typography.
Use double angle quotation marks (《》) for Chinese typography.
Use half-quotation marks (‘ ’ or “ ”) for informal writing.
Use straight quotes (“) for computer programming or coding.
Use curly quotes (‘ ’ or “ ”) for word processing or typesetting.

Do not use quotation marks for numbers or mathematical expressions.
Use quotation marks for symbols or unusual characters.
Use quotation marks for abbreviations or acronyms that are spelled out.
Do not use quotation marks for common abbreviations or acronyms.
Use quotation marks for a word used as a word, even if it is an abbreviation or acronym.
Use quotation marks for titles of blogs, podcasts, or other online content.
Use quotation marks for hashtags or keywords in social media.
Use quotation marks for brand or product names used in a special sense or for emphasis.
Use quotation marks for a word that is being discussed rather than used.
Use quotation marks for words that are not in common usage or are being used in a different sense.

Use quotation marks for quotes in a foreign language.
Use the appropriate quotation marks for the language being used.
Use the appropriate punctuation marks for the language being used.
Use italics for titles of works in a foreign language.
Use quotation marks for titles of articles or chapters within a larger work in a foreign language.
Use brackets to show translations or explanations.
Use parentheses for the source or author of a quote in a foreign language.
Use quotation marks for words or phrases in a foreign language that are being used in an English sentence.
Use italics for foreign words or phrases that are being used in an English sentence and are not being discussed.
Use quotation marks for foreign words or phrases that are being discussed rather than used.

Use quotation marks for emphasis or irony.
Use quotation marks for words used in a special sense or for emphasis.
Use quotation marks for scare quotes or ironic use of a word.
Use quotation marks for slang or colloquial expressions.
Use quotation marks for nonstandard or made-up words.
Use quotation marks for words used in a humorous or sarcastic way.
Use quotation marks for words used in an unconventional or unexpected way.
Use quotation marks for words used in a way that contradicts their usual meaning.
Use quotation marks for words or phrases that are being discussed rather than used.
Use quotation marks for words or phrases that are being used in a different sense than usual.

If you’re a grammar enthusiast, celebrating “Punctuation Rules with Quotation Marks” can be a fun and educational event. Here are 10 ideas and tips to get you started: