Grammar
Quotation marks: punctuate direct speech and titles
If you repeat a person's exact words, show the reader where those words begin and end. Maya said, "Please wait here." The quotation marks separate Maya's words from the rest of the sentence.
Use quotation marks to show exact speech and titles of short works, with punctuation that makes the sentence clear.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Leila asked, "Can we leave now?" /leɪlə ɑːskt kæn wiː liːv naʊ/
The short answer
Put exact spoken words inside quotation marks. Use a comma to introduce a quotation after a reporting clause when the sentence needs one. Keep a question mark or exclamation mark with the quoted words when it belongs to the direct speech.
Leila asked, "Can we leave now?"
Why it works: The reporting clause names the speaker. The question mark belongs to Leila's direct question, so it stays inside the closing quotation mark.
6 more examples
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Mina said, "The café is closed today."
The quotation marks show Mina's exact words. The comma separates the reporting clause from the direct speech.
Not this:Mina said
that the café was closedthat day. What changes: This reports Mina's message in new words, so quotation marks are unnecessary. -
"Please send the link," Noah said.
The quoted instruction comes first. The comma stays with the quoted words before the reporting clause.
Not this:Noah said
that we should send the link. What changes: This is reported speech, so it gives the message without quoting Noah's exact instruction. -
Ava asked, "What time does the show start?"
The direct speech is a question. Its question mark stays inside the quotation marks because it belongs to Ava's words.
Not this:Ava asked
what time the show started. What changes: This reports a question as part of a statement, so it ends with a full stop instead. -
We discussed the article "Working From Home" in class.
Quotation marks can show the title of a short work, such as an article.
Not this:We discussed the book
The Long Walkin class. What changes: A complete book is usually italicized in published writing rather than put in quotation marks. Plain text cannot show italics, so follow the format required by your task. -
"I heard him say, 'Wait for me,'" Priya explained.
A quotation inside another quotation uses the other type of quotation mark in this style. The inner words belong to the person Priya heard.
Not this:Priya explained that she
heard him tell her to wait. What changes: This reports the message instead of showing either speaker's exact words. -
The sign said, "Keep the gate closed."
Quotation marks can also show words copied exactly from a written sign or notice.
Not this:The sign
asked visitors to keep the gate closed. What changes: The writer has changed the form of the message, so there is no exact quotation to mark.
Read the full guide
First decide whether you are repeating exact words. If you are, put those words in quotation marks. Then read the whole sentence: a reporting clause may need a comma, while the quoted words may already have their own question mark or full stop. Keep the marks with the words they punctuate.
Quote words that are exact
Use quotation marks when you repeat the exact words a person said or wrote. The marks show the reader that the words inside are not the writer's own wording. If you change the words, write reported speech instead.
The guide said, "Keep your ticket until the end."
The words inside the marks are the guide's direct instruction.
The guide told us to keep our tickets until the end.
This gives the instruction in a new sentence, so quotation marks are not needed.
Do you need quotation marks when you change a speaker's words into reported speech?
No. Use them only when you show the exact words.
Introduce direct speech with a reporting clause
A reporting clause names the speaker and often comes before or after the quoted words. When it comes first, a comma can introduce the quotation. When it comes after a complete quoted statement, the comma usually stays with the quoted words in this lesson's style.
Ravi said, "I will email the details."
Ravi said names the speaker, and the comma introduces the exact words.
"I will email the details," Ravi said.
The same quoted statement comes first, followed by the reporting clause.
Where does the comma go in this style: Rosa said ___ 'The room is ready'?
Put it after said: Rosa said, "The room is ready."
Keep the quoted question or exclamation together
A question mark or exclamation mark belongs inside the quotation marks when it is part of the speaker's exact words. Do not add another full stop after the quotation. The sentence already has its ending mark.
Sam asked, "Did you lock the door?"
The question mark belongs to Sam's direct question, so it stays before the closing quotation mark.
Ella shouted, "Watch out!"
The exclamation mark belongs to Ella's warning and closes the whole sentence.
Which mark ends a direct question inside quotation marks?
Use the question mark that belongs to the quoted question. Do not add a second ending mark.
Use quotation marks for short titles
Quotation marks can also identify titles of short works, including articles, poems, songs, chapters, and episodes. A title of a complete work, such as a book or film, is usually italicized in published writing. Use the style requested for your work.
We listened to the song "Rainy Morning" on the radio.
The quotation marks identify the title of one song.
I borrowed the novel River Town from the library.
A novel is a complete work. In formatted writing, its title is usually italicized rather than quoted.
Which type of title usually uses quotation marks: a poem or a whole book?
A poem usually uses quotation marks. A whole book is usually italicized in published writing.
Use the other mark inside a quotation
Sometimes quoted words include another person's exact words. Use a different type of quotation mark for the inner quotation. This lesson uses double marks outside and single marks inside. Do not change the order of the marks, because readers need to see who said which words.
Nora said, "I heard him whisper, 'The bus is here.'"
Nora's whole statement has double marks. The words she heard have single marks inside them.
Nora said that she heard him whisper that the bus was there.
The reported version does not show either speaker's exact words.
What should you use for the inner quotation when the outside quotation uses double marks?
Use single quotation marks for the inner quotation in this style.
Choose one style and check the whole sentence
Before you finish, check whether the quotation is exact, whether every opening mark has a closing mark, and whether the ending punctuation belongs to the quoted words or the outer sentence. Different style guides can make different choices about commas and full stops. Follow one required style consistently.
The note read, "Meeting moved to Friday."
The quotation is exact, both marks are present, and the full stop closes the words on the note.
The note explained that the meeting had moved to Friday.
This reports the meaning, so it does not need quotation marks.
What is the final check after you add quotation marks?
Read the whole sentence and check that the marks show exact words and have the correct closing punctuation.
Before you go
Remember this
Use quotation marks when you repeat exact speech or name a short work. Add a comma between a reporting clause and a quotation where the sentence needs one. Keep a question mark or exclamation mark with the quoted words when it belongs to them. Use one consistent style for nested quotations and published work.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Quotation marks: punctuate direct speech and titles"
When should I use quotation marks in English?
Use quotation marks when you repeat a person's exact spoken or written words. For example, Mina said, "The café is closed today." marks Mina's exact statement. If you change the message into your own sentence, use reported speech without quotation marks.
Mina said, "The café is closed today."
Where does the comma go with direct speech?
When a reporting clause comes before a direct quotation, this lesson's style puts a comma before the opening quotation mark: Mina said, "The café is closed today." When the reporting clause follows, the comma stays with the quoted words before the clause.
Mina said that the café was closed that day.
Does a question mark go inside quotation marks?
Put a question mark inside quotation marks when it belongs to the direct question. Ava asked, "What time does the show start?" has the question mark inside because Ava's exact words are the question. Do not add another full stop after it.
"Please send the link," Noah said.
Which titles use quotation marks?
Quotation marks often identify titles of short works, including articles, poems, songs, chapters, and episodes. A complete book, film, or newspaper is usually italicized in published writing. Follow the style guide for your assignment or publisher.
Noah said that we should send the link.
Can I use single and double quotation marks in the same sentence?
Yes, when one exact quotation appears inside another. This lesson uses double marks for the outer quotation and single marks for the inner one. Some publishers reverse that choice, so keep the style required by your school, workplace, or publication.
Ava asked, "What time does the show start?"