Punctuation
Quotation marks
Introduce quoted speech with a comma or colon, then capitalize the first word of the quote.
Why this happens
Quotation marks enclose direct speech, titles of short works, and sometimes terms used specially. Mistakes include punctuating outside the marks in American style, using single and double quotes inconsistently, or quoting so much that original analysis disappears. British and American placement rules differ slightly around commas and periods.
See it in a sentence
IncorrectShe said the deadline was Friday.
CorrectShe said, "The deadline is Friday."
Teaching note: Exact words need quotation marks and often a comma before the quote.
IncorrectThe article "Climate and Cities" argues for greener planning.
CorrectThe article "Climate and Cities" argues for greener planning. — title in quotes if not italicised.
Teaching note: Short works take quotation marks when italics are unavailable.
IncorrectHe called it a 'game changer' in the report.
CorrectHe called it a "game changer" in the report.
Teaching note: In American English, double quotes are primary; singles nest inside.
More examples
Periods and commas usually sit inside closing quotes in American usage.
She agreed, "We will revise."
Question mark belongs inside if the quote is the question: She asked, "Who attends?"
If the whole sentence questions the quote, mark goes outside.
Scare quotes around so-called experts signal doubt — use sparingly.
Overuse sounds sarcastic or vague.
Block quotes of long passages often drop quotation marks and indent instead.
Follow your exam style guide for length thresholds.
Quick check
The judge ruled that the contract was void", she wrote in her notes.
Show the fix
The judge ruled that the contract was void," she wrote in her notes. Close the quotation before the dialogue tag and add the comma inside the quotes.
Practice this topic in Wrytesmart
Open the grammar workspace to complete interactive exercises for quotation marks. You will spot errors, fill blanks, and transform sentences — always with teaching notes that explain the principle, not just the correction.
Master quotation marks in context
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