Explain the rules for using quotation marks with nested quotations.

When using quotation marks with nested quotations, there are specific rules to follow in order to maintain clarity and proper punctuation. Here are the rules for using quotation marks with nested quotations:

1. Use double quotation marks for the outermost quotation: When including a nested quotation within another quotation, use double quotation marks for the outermost quotation. For example:

John said, "Mary told me, 'I will be there tomorrow.'"

2. Use single quotation marks for the nested quotation: Within the outermost quotation, use single quotation marks to enclose the nested quotation. For example:

John said, "Mary told me, 'I will be there tomorrow.'"

3. Use double quotation marks again for any further nested quotations: If there are further nested quotations within the already nested quotation, use double quotation marks again. For example:

John said, "Mary told me, 'Tom said, "I can't make it today."'"

4. Maintain proper punctuation within each quotation: Each quotation, whether it is the outermost or nested, should have its own punctuation marks. For example:

John said, "Mary told me, 'I will be there tomorrow.'"

In this example, the outermost quotation ends with a comma, while the nested quotation ends with a period.

5. Use punctuation marks outside the quotation marks when necessary: If the punctuation mark is not part of the quotation itself, it should be placed outside the closing quotation mark. For example:

John asked, "Did Mary say, 'I will be there tomorrow'?"

In this example, the question mark is not part of the nested quotation, so it is placed outside the closing quotation mark.

6. Be consistent with punctuation and quotation marks: It is important to be consistent in using punctuation and quotation marks throughout the nested quotations. Follow the same pattern for each nested quotation to maintain clarity and consistency.

Overall, when using nested quotations, it is crucial to follow these rules to ensure proper punctuation and clarity in conveying the intended meaning.