at the End of a Quotation
When in your own writing you refer to the exact words of someone else, you must use quotations marks--obviously!
"Blah blah bablahblah"
The question: Where do I put the quotation marks--inside or outside, before or after--the comma, the period, the semicolon, the question mark or exclamation point?
The short answer:
The longer answer:
| Punctuation | Rule or Example |
|---|---|
| , . | The comma and the period always go INSIDE the quotation marks. |
| , | Marlow calls them "high and just proceedings," but his statement is heavily ironic. |
| . | Marlow calls them "high and just proceedings." |
| ; : | The semicolon and the colon go OUTSIDE the quotation marks. |
| ; | Marlow calls them "high and just proceedings"; we are aware, however, of the irony which underlies his statement. |
| : | These are what Marlow calls "high and just proceedings": the "objectless blasting" in the cliff and the grotesque chain gang carrying baskets of earth up the path. |
| ? ! | The question mark and the exclamation point go INSIDE if they belong with the quoted matter, OUTSIDE if they belong with the introductory statement. |
| ? | Why should Marlow call them "high and just proceedings"? The Swede replied, "I will send your things up. Four boxes did you say?" |
| ! | The Company men, of course, thought of these as "high and just proceedings"! Here Marlow inserts a parenthetical comment: "He called them enemies!" |
Note: A single quotation mark within double quotation marks doesn't change things.
The entomologist lecturing on brain physiology ended by saying, "Over lunch I'll discuss my most recent article, 'Ants and Beetles: Food for Thought.'"
Note too: End punctuation (. ! ?) is never doubled, i.e. you never see !. or ?. Never!!
The reason: That's the way American printers and publishers want it--never mind the logic. On the other hand, printers and publishers in Great Britain do not necessarily follow the same standard practice. If you think you see inconsistencies in your readings, check the origin of publication.
Another question: If I include a citation or parenthetical reference, where does IT go? And THEN what about the quote marks with the period and the rest?
Another answer:
If you conclude your quotation with a parenthetical reference, place the period (or comma) after the reference, NOT inside the quotation:
" ( ). When Socrates says that Thrasymachus "sprang on us like a wild beast" (75), he insinuates the irrationality of Thrasymachus view that "right is what is in the interest of the stronger party" (77).
If the quotation ends with a question mark or exclamation point, keep the mark or point within the quotes and add the reference and a period.
?" ( ). Elizabeth asks her aunt (Mrs. Gardiner), "What is the difference between the mercenary and the prudent motive?" (188).
!" ( ). After discovering the truth about Darcy, Elizabeth cries, "How humiliating is this discovery!--Yet, how just a humiliation!" (236).
Note for foot/endnote users: Superscript numbers always follow the quotation marks.
. . . interest of the stronger party."1
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