Quotation Marks

1
Quotation Marks
" "

• Use quotation marks at the beginning and at the
  end of a direct quotation.

Joe said, Im going to wash my car.
2
Quotation marks are not to be used with indirect
quotes.
Joe said that he was going to wash his car.
Explanatory words before a direct quotation are
followed by a comma.
My uncle answered, Ill send you a postcard.
The period at the end of the sentence is placed
inside the quotation marks.
3
Explanatory words after a direct quotation are
followed by a period.
Ill send you a postcard, my uncle answered.
The words of a direct quotation are followed by a
comma inside the quotation marks.
4
Commas are not used after a quotation when the
quotation is a question.
What are you doing here? asked the baker.
Place question marks and exclamation points
inside the quotation marks if they belong to the
quotation itself.
Commas are not used after a quotation when the
quotation is an interjection.
You had better hand over that jacket, Mrs.
Mock! yelled the security guard.
5
Divided Quotations
Use quotation marks before and after each part of
the quotation.
If that team wins, Patty whispered, Ill be
surprised.
Notice the commas.
The second part of the divided quotation is not
capitalized unless it is a proper noun or unless
it starts a new sentence.
If youre ready, said Paul, we can leave now.
I saw Mr. Prichard, said Amy. He was in the
hall.
Use a period, not a comma, when the second part
is a new sentence.
6
Punctuating Direct Quotations
Place question marks and exclamation points
inside quotation marks if they belong to the
quotation itself.
Mother said to Tim, Have you finished the
dishes?
Look out! Dad shouted.
Place question marks and exclamation points
outside quotation marks if they do not belong to
the quotation.
Did Rachel say, Meet me in the library?
The teacher said, There is no homework tonight!