Quotation Marks
What Is It?
Quotation Marks refers to punctuation used for direct speech, titles, quoted words, and special terms.
C1-C2 reference topic in Punctuation.
Why Use It?
- Quote accurately.
- Separate direct speech from paraphrase.
- Handle punctuation with quoted material.
Formation and Patterns
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Direct quote | reporting clause + comma + quote | She said, "I understand." |
| Quote within sentence | quoted words + sentence grammar | The word "however" needs care. |
| Block/long quote | introduce + formatted quotation | The report states: "Practice matters." |
Common Mistakes
- Using quotation marks for ordinary emphasis.
- Mixing direct quotation with reported speech grammar.
- Dropping closing quotation marks.
Exceptions & Nuances
- British and American punctuation placement differs; follow one style consistently.