Quotation Marks in English Grammar: Rules, Uses, and Examples

Quotation marks are small punctuation marks, but they do a big job in writing. Whether you’re sharing someone’s exact words, referring to a title, or showing irony, quotation marks help readers understand what’s being highlighted or referenced.

Using them incorrectly, though, can cause confusion or even change the meaning of a sentence. Should the period go inside or outside? Do you use single or double quotes? What if there’s a quote inside another quote?

This guide explains how quotation marks work in English, when to use them, and how to avoid the most common mistakes—so your writing stays clear, accurate, and well-structured.

What Are Quotation Marks?

Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to show that certain words are being repeated exactly, referenced directly, or highlighted in a special way. In English, they come in two forms:

Definition and Symbols

• Double quotation marks: “ ”
  Common in American English for most uses.
• Single quotation marks: ‘ ’
  Often used in British English or for quotes within quotes.

Purpose in Writing

Quotation marks are used for several key purposes:

• To indicate direct speech or exact wording
  They enclose the exact words spoken or written by someone.
  Example:
  He said, “I’ll be there by noon.”
• To identify the titles of short works
  This includes titles of poems, articles, short stories, songs, and episodes.
  Example:
  We read “The Lottery” in class.
• To highlight specific words or unusual usage
  Often used to show irony, sarcasm, or unfamiliar terminology—sometimes called scare quotes.
  Example:
  He said he was “working” from home.

When to Use Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are used to enclose specific types of content. Knowing when to apply them ensures your writing is clear and correctly punctuated.

Direct Speech and Quotations

Use quotation marks to show the exact words spoken or written by someone.

Examples:
She asked, “Can you help me with this?”
“I’m not sure,” he replied, “but I’ll try.”

If the quote is broken up by dialogue tags (like he said, she replied), quotation marks should still surround each part of the spoken words.

Titles of Short Works

Quotation marks are used to enclose titles of shorter pieces, such as:

• Articles
• Poems
• Short stories
• Songs
• TV episodes

Example:
Have you heard “Bohemian Rhapsody”?
She wrote a paper on “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Note: Titles of longer works (like books or albums) are italicized, not quoted.

Highlighting Words or Phrases (Scare Quotes)

Use quotation marks to emphasize that a word or phrase is being used in an unusual, ironic, or doubtful way.

Examples:
The instructions were “clear,” according to him.
She claimed she was “too busy” to respond.

Use scare quotes sparingly—they can imply sarcasm or skepticism if overused.

Single vs. Double Quotation Marks

Both single and double quotation marks are correct in English, but their usage depends on the style and regional conventions. The key is to use them consistently and correctly within context.

American English Conventions

• Use double quotation marks for primary quotations.
  Example: She said, “We’ll meet at the library.”
• Use single quotation marks for a quote within a quote.
  Example: “Did he just say, ‘That’s not my fault’?” she asked.

British English Conventions

• Use single quotation marks for primary quotations.
  Example: He said, ‘I’m not interested in the offer.’
• Use double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
  Example: ‘She called me and said, “I’m already there”,’ he explained.

Consistency in Usage

Whichever style you choose, keep it consistent throughout your writing. Switching between single and double quotation marks without reason can confuse readers and weaken your writing’s clarity.

If you’re following a specific style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago), check its preferences, as formatting may vary.

Punctuation with Quotation Marks

One of the most confusing aspects of quotation marks is where to place punctuation, especially periods, commas, question marks, and exclamation points. The rules differ slightly between American and British English.

Placement of Periods and Commas

American English

In American English, periods and commas always go inside the closing quotation mark.

Examples:
She said, “We’re running late.”
I just finished reading “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

British English

In British English, periods and commas go outside the quotation marks unless they are part of the quoted material.

Examples:
She said, ‘We’re running late’.
I just finished reading ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’.

Placement of Question Marks and Exclamation Points

These depend on whether the punctuation belongs to the quoted material or the sentence as a whole.

• If the punctuation is part of the quote, it goes inside the quotation marks. Example:
  He asked, “Are you ready to go?”
• If the punctuation is part of your sentence, it goes outside. Example:
  Did she really say, “I’m not going”?

Correct punctuation placement makes writing look more polished and prevents confusion, especially in dialogue or academic writing.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Quotation marks may seem simple, but they’re often misused—especially when it comes to punctuation placement, consistency, and emphasis. Here are some of the most frequent mistakes to avoid.

Misplacing Punctuation with Quotation Marks

One of the most common errors is putting punctuation marks outside quotation marks when they should be inside (or vice versa, depending on your English variant).

Incorrect (American English):
She said, “I’ll be there soon”.
Correct:
She said, “I’ll be there soon.”

Tip: Follow American or British rules consistently—not a mix of both.

Mixing Single and Double Quotes Without Purpose

Switching between single and double quotation marks randomly confuses the reader and breaks formatting consistency.

Avoid:
She called it ‘a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience’.
Better (British):
She called it ‘a once-in-a-lifetime experience’.

Better (American):
She called it “a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.”

Use one type for primary quotes and the other only when quoting within a quote.

Overusing Quotation Marks for Emphasis

Quotation marks aren’t meant to emphasize words. That’s what italics or bold text are for. Overusing quotation marks for emphasis can unintentionally suggest sarcasm or doubt.

Incorrect:
Please meet our “amazing” team.
Correct:
Please meet our amazing team.

If you’re not quoting someone or using irony, leave them out.

Tips for Using Quotation Marks Effectively

Beyond the rules, using quotation marks well means writing with clarity and intention. These tips focus on how to apply them thoughtfully in both casual and formal contexts.

Pay Attention to Tone

Quotation marks can shape how your sentence is read. When used with sarcasm or irony (as in scare quotes), they can easily change the tone, even unintentionally. Use them only when that’s the effect you want.

Example:
He said the project was “fine.”
(Sounds doubtful or dismissive.)

Don’t Quote What You Can Paraphrase

Not everything needs to be in quotes. If you’re summarizing an idea or restating a point, paraphrasing may work better, especially in informative or instructional writing.

Quoted:
The article said, “Punctuation affects meaning.”
Paraphrased:
The article explained that punctuation influences how readers interpret sentences.

Let Style Guides Lead Formal Formatting

In academic or professional settings, follow the style guide you’re using (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). Quotation mark rules can differ slightly, especially for block quotes, references, or citations.

Keep It Simple

If a sentence feels cluttered with quotation marks, step back and revise. Too many visual interruptions can distract the reader and reduce clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions