When to Use Quotation Marks: 4 Tips for Using Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are punctuation marks that appear in multiple languages to indicate dialogue (spoken words) or emphasis on certain words or phrases. The formatting and proper use of quotation marks depend on the type of writing, the exact words or phrase, and the applicable style guide.

Quotation marks can indicate words spoken by a character or someone else; a unique circumstance; or the author’s emphasis on certain words. Here are four situations in American English in which you can use quotation marks:

1. 1. To indicate dialogue: In works of fiction, such as short stories, you can place quotation marks around a character’s direct quotations or their spoken sentences. Example: “I’m scared that my research paper is going to get an F,” Sarah said nervously.
2. 2. To quote someone: If a person says or writes something and you want to use their direct quote, then you use quotation marks around their exact words when you include their words or complete sentences in your writing. Example: “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart,” Anne Frank wrote.
3. 3. To show irony: You can place quotation marks around words to express something ironically or sarcastically. In these instances, the quotation marks, known as scare quotes, are unnecessary from a grammatical perspective, but they add emphasis. Example: Jim’s “cute” dog sat there, its eyes looking in opposite directions.
4. 4. To reference other creative works: The style guide you’re adhering to might necessitate placing in quotation marks the names or titles of specific creative works, like individual book chapters, TV show episodes, songs, or speeches. (Keep in mind that some style guides have requirements for when to use quotation marks, as well as other punctuation rules.) Example: My favorite episode of Tom’s Crazy Dog is “Tom’s Dog Says Its First Word.”

There are multiple punctuation rules to follow with quotation marks in US English, such as:

1. 1. If you open a quotation mark, you have to close it. Quotation marks come in pairs, and the words you include between the marks indicate dialogue, a quote from a real person, irony, or creative works. You have to include a closing quotation mark; otherwise, someone may mistakenly believe everything after that first quotation mark is part of the quote.
2. 2. Use proper capitalization. If you’re quoting someone or your character says something directly, start the quoted sentence with a capital letter. Should you only want to use part of the quotation, you can start the sentence inside the quotation marks with a lowercase. Finally, if you write a sentence with a parenthetical breaking apart your quote, start the second half of the quotation with a lowercase letter.
3. 3. Pay attention to where you place other punctuation. Punctuation rules vary based on the sentence structure, usage, and style guide you’re following. Always place commas and periods inside of the quotation marks. Question marks and exclamation marks can go either inside or outside of the quotation marks. And depending on your use of quotation marks, you can place hyphens, semicolons, and colons inside or outside of the quotation marks. Use an ellipsis if you’re omitting part of the direction quotation.
4. 4. Know when to use single vs. double quotation marks. You can also quote someone inside of quotation marks using single quotation marks. These look almost like an apostrophe and tell the reader that the speaker of the original sentence is now quoting someone else, usually using attribution.

Although there are many times when words should have quotation marks, there are some common mistakes that people make when it comes to their usage. For example, magazines, books, and other publications sometimes reformat quoted material as block quotes, also called pull quotes. Block quotes are a stylistic choice meant to emphasize the original quotation and stand apart visually from the rest of the words on the page. Block quotations do not get quotation marks. Slang or clichés also fall into this category. If you’re writing something with a phrase that may be cliche or slang, do not place the word in quotation marks. And when you are writing an academic paper, do not use quotation marks around the title of your work.

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Salman Rushdie, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.