What are Scare Quotes in English Punctuation? (Sneer/Air Quotes)

Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech, but what are scare quotes and what purpose do they serve? Scare quotes, also known as sneer quotes are the written form of air quotes. We use them to express irony, skepticism, or disagreement. They are used in informal writing, texts, emails, and even in novels and journalism.

In this lesson, we will compare regular quotation marks to scare quotes and discuss when and when not to use them. There will be a short quiz to test your understanding at the end. If you want to learn more about punctuation, watch my full playlist below.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Quotation Marks
01:02 - What are scare/sneer quotes?
02:51 - Regular VS Scare Quotes
05:20 - Common Uses
06:45 - Impact of Misuse
07:43 - Quiz

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✨ SOCIAL MEDIA:

[kylerdad]

Thank you for the lesson. I wished I had you as my English teacher during my high school days. I understand the concept and appreciate your lessons. I got six correctly after your explanation. Looking forward to the next lesson. Best wishes and regards! 😀

[larrymilliken]

Due to your excellent teaching, I managed to answer each question correctly, and learned something new in the process. Thank you, Jennifer!

[brianpemberton]

Thank you Jennifer. I leant
something new today as I never really understood the use of quotation marks.

[alshimaaibrahim]

It was really helpful lesson. I have not learned about before. Thank you

[anashrahibrarhussain]

Yours Lectures are really understandable.❤

[Meisha-san]

Thank you for this lovely clarification. 👍

I've been using italics for most examples of scare quotes. I'll try to incorporate this sparingly into my blog writing.

[rdcnouveaudepart]

Having come across your YouTube channel, I immediately subscribed to it as the content is way appealing.

[HusnaYousufi-bq]

I learned very lot. Thank you so much teacher

[JLPrice-kcuy]

This subject is just the very tip of a spear that is taught throughout law enforcement, the Justice system, and intelligence… a subject that is so near and dear to my heart.
As a natural born cognitive empath; it was always asked of me, “how do you know this.?” my reply was, “doesn't everyone know this.?”
Leave it up to the British, to refine this very subject by removing, or answering all the questions by putting information to a positive, that becomes a reliable source of information.

[“The spoken word; including body language details the DNA of who we are on the inside.”] (jlp)

What is the first thing that 98% of all people, notice about a SPEAKER..? - their hands… that speaks to confidence and more, but beyond that, I find it so odd in many individuals, who cannot..! Construct the individual inside, by reading how well they cover it up on the outside.
I do apologize for my excitement… 😋

[plantacademy]

An excellent lesson! I do have a question regarding the placement of the period or comma INSIDE the scare quote! It appears awkward and separates the quote from the end quotation mark. Could you place the period or comma after the ending scare quotation mark? Just curious.

[cuger]

Very good information. Thank you for the new videos. Could you make a video regarding Proof reading & ways to find errors in writting? Thank you jenn.

[ArtemHahauz-nmbk]

"This was an "interesting" lesson!"
"This was an interesting lesson!"
"I am "happy" to answer the questions!"
"I am happy to answer the questions!"
"Who knows why he's "bored?"
"Who knows why he's bored?"
"His "proactive" approach added fuel to the fire!"
"His proactive approach added fuel to the fire!"
Thank you so much, Jennifer!
Best regards from Ukraine!
Now, scare quotes don't scare me.😊

[manishatanwar]

Thank you, Ma'am. It's really helpful 😊

[abrahamjr]

Mam, can we use scare quotes in formal writing?

[JLPrice-kcuy]

Remember this..! “The history of mans passions has always given back to itself.” (JP)
This leader, just like Nero, and his son had a meeting with something; “predestined” to happen.
You may ask… “where does such-things come from..?”
The answers are always; from the people, by the people.

[WilliamCooper-lf]

How about this example: "They" says, I'mz tha best looking dude, thay nayver yiz. 😮

It should be obvious by now, why my dad beat me so often. 🧐