HOW & WHEN TO USE QUOTATION MARKS
Quotation marks are used to quote a phrase, fragment, or sentence from a movie, book, or conversation. There are particular rules to follow on how and when to use quotation marks.
- Direct word-for-word quotation
- The sentence must be fully copied and the first letter must be capitalized.
Examples:
“I love pizza,” Caryn said.
James said, “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
“I don’t love you anymore,” she said.
Take note: the commas must be always inside the quotation marks.
- Phrases only
- The first letter of the phrase should not be capitalized.
Examples:
Gabrielle said that book was “over her head” and that “truly, grace abounds.”
Take note: the period must be always inside the quotation marks.- Interfering direct quotations
- Commas must be used in the sentence
Examples:
“Hey,” he called, “Do you still love me, Gab?”
She said “No.”
Take note: If the direct quote is just one word, a comma is not required.
- Quotation as a subject
- Commas are not required to be used in the sentence.
Example:
“Love wins” is her life motto.
Is “I don’t care anymore” your final answer?
- Quotation as an element (movie titles, name of events, etc.)
- Put the exact title with quotation marks.
Example:
Charice Pempengco is one of the casts of the movie “Glee.”
The musical play is entitled “What if Jesus Wasn’t Born?”
- Technical terms (expression or layman’s term)
- Commas are not required in the sentence.
Example:
The exam is “nerve-wracking.”
She dresses “weird” at the events.
The song was sung by a “semi-professional” singer.
- Quotations within a quotation.
- Instances like this can happen too, especially in the books. Two sets of quotation marks are used.
Examples:
““Twilight Saga” is my favorite movie of all time,” Francis said.
Shrek said: “They’ll shave your liver, “Squeeze the jelly” from your eyes!”
