Punctuation Questions Medium
When using quotation marks with other punctuation marks, the general rule is to place the punctuation mark inside the closing quotation mark. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
1. Commas and periods: In American English, commas and periods are always placed inside the closing quotation mark. For example:
- She said, "I will be there soon."
- He asked, "Where are you going?"
2. Question marks and exclamation points: The placement of question marks and exclamation points depends on the context. If the punctuation mark is part of the quoted material, it should be placed inside the closing quotation mark. For example:
- Did she really say, "I love you"?
- He shouted, "Stop!"
However, if the question mark or exclamation point is not part of the quoted material, it should be placed outside the closing quotation mark. For example:
- Did you hear him say, "I can't believe it"?
- She exclaimed, "I won!"
3. Colons and semicolons: Colons and semicolons are always placed outside the closing quotation mark. For example:
- She told me: "I need your help."
- He wrote a note; it said, "I'll be back soon."
It's important to note that these rules may vary slightly in different style guides or regions. It's always a good idea to consult the specific guidelines or preferences of the publication or organization you are writing for.