Grammar Lessons | Quotation Punctuation

Transcription:
Punctuation for quotations has very specific rules, so let’s take a look at them. Here is a very common example: “Professor Hernandez said, ‘I love disco.’ First of all, we should use a comma after a word such as “said” or “asked,” and after the quotation. To end a sentence, the punctuation should come before the quotation marks. The period comes before the end of the quotation marks. It’s the same whether it’s a question or a statement. Here, I still have a comma after the word “asked,” but now I have a question mark at the end, but you’ll notice I have a question mark inside the quotation marks as well. But you’ll notice there are times when the punctuation goes on the outside of the quotation mark. Take a look here: “Did you understand him when he said, ‘Disco is king’?’” The comma still comes after the word said and before the quotation, but the question mark comes after the quotation marks. That’s because the question isn’t a part of the quote, but it is a part of my sentence. I am the one asking the question. Finally, there are some times when we don’t use commas before the quotation. “He described disco as the best music.” You’ll notice that there’s no comma before the quotation because the quotation has been integrated into my sentence as something I’m saying rather than me reporting what someone else is saying.