Lessons

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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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?

  1. 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?”

  1. 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.

  1. 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!”

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Gabrielle Love Acero

Gabrielle Love Acero loves to write in any form since she was still a little girl. Her writing skills were enhanced through reading books, articles, and informative materials such as Reader’s Digest. They are also her hobbies. She began her blog site at the age of 11. She wrote her experiences in life. With her experiences, she became a scriptwriter during her High School years. One of her movies that she directed and produced won 2nd place against 7 high school institutions (public and private) in the city where she is living. The interschool competition was hosted by Commission on Population (PopCom) – Region X. She puts effort into doing these things because it is her passion. She is one of the top of the class during her Elementary and High School years. She graduated as the Class Valedictorian in Junior High School. At the age of 9, Gabrielle Love Acero started participating and engaging in voluntary activities, especially at church. She entered the kids’ choir and joined “Sidewalk Saturday School (SSS)” as a volunteer. She taught indigenous children about God and His love for them in a certain area, including skit-playing and Bible-reading. With those experiences, she continued being a volunteer at heart until the present day. At the age of 13, she became a Worship leader in the church where she is currently attending since 2007. Her dedication, commitment, and love for God and His people made her become one of the assets of the church. She is one of the youth leaders. Gabrielle Love Acero is currently a junior student of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Medical Biology at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, where she continues to work towards her dream of becoming a doctor in the near future. She is also involved in extracurricular organizations. She is currently the President of Xavier University Red Cross Youth (XU – RCY), where she plans, organizes, and implements humanitarian activities for the community with her team. Also, she is a 1st class Cadet Officer at Xavier University Philippine Air Force - Reserve Officer Training Corps (XU PAF ROTC), where she teaches basic military trainings based on her military training experiences. Also, she implies military leadership to her lower classes. Not despising her Biology degree, she put her efforts into her studies and get involved in Biophilic (Biology) Society activities with her colleagues. Many people are awed by her experiences and involvements, especially her time management skills, but with humility, she believes that her life is not her own, but with a purpose. Gabrielle Love Acero hopes to learn more about life and the field she is currently in. She is goal-oriented and exemplifies excellence in everything she does, not because of herself, but because of the greater One living inside her.