Overview
Quotation marks enclose direct speech, quotations, and titles. In direct speech, they show the exact words spoken. In British English, single quotes are common; in American English, double quotes are standard. They must be used with correct punctuation placed inside or outside depending on style.
Direct Speech
- BrEBritish English: single quotes — 'Come in,' she said.
- AmEAmerican English: double quotes — "Come in," she said.
- NestedBrE: 'She said, "I agree."' / AmE: "She said, 'I agree.'"
- PunctComma/period: INSIDE closing quote in AmE · OUTSIDE in BrE if not part of quoted material.
Other Uses
- Short work titles: articles, chapters — 'The Hollow Men'
- Technical terms: The concept of 'hedging' is central to academic writing.
- Scare quotes: The so-called 'experts' disagreed entirely. (implies doubt)
- Definitions: The word 'pragmatic' means practical.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Quotes for emphasis: 'great' food — implies irony, not praise. Use bold or italics.
- ❌ Forgetting to close a quote after the reporting verb.
- ❌ Mixing BrE and AmE punctuation conventions in one text.
When to use
Fiction writing
'I won't go back,' she whispered firmly.
Journalism
The CEO stated: "The company remains profitable."
Academic writing
The author argues that 'context always shapes meaning'.
Essays
The term 'discourse' refers to language in use.