Why does punctuation go inside quotes

In British style, spacing issues are less pronounced because it uses single quotation marks instead of double, and commas and periods are placed outside the quotation marks:. For example, note numbers are omitted, end-of-line hyphenation is not reproduced, and double quotation marks in the source are converted to single marks. The point of conventions is that they provide common tools for understanding, so if you are preparing material in a British context, follow British rules.

But if you are preparing a paper for a class or for publication in the United States, place periods and commas inside quotation marks. Read our earlier post on what you can omit when quoting sources. When the quoted material flows directly from your introductory text, no punctuation should be used before the quotation.

A very short quotation may also be introduced without punctuation. The unpunctuated lead-in is most commonly used with run-in quotations, but it is also appropriate for introducing block quotations that flow directly from the introductory text. When a run-in quotation contains quotation marks within the quoted material itself, use single quotation marks in their place. When the material being quoted contains a quotation within a quotation i.

Quotation marks can be used when referring to a specific word or letter. Some writers instead use italics for this purpose, as I have in this guide. As an alternative to parentheses , quotation marks can be used to enclose a translation.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Use a comma to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, or a dependent clause. Place a question mark or exclamation point within closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the quotation itself.

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You could do it like this:. John said he hated when it was hot outside. The first sentence contains a direct quote , a quote in which you report the exact words John used. The second sentence contains an indirect quote , which is a paraphrased version of what John said. Quotation marks are used only with direct quotes.

Direct quotations come in two different forms: run-in and block. Run-in quotations are shorter and they are formatted the same as the surrounding text. Block quotes are long quotes that are separated from the surrounding text.