Describe the rules for using quotation marks in sentence construction.

Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to indicate direct speech or to enclose a direct quotation within a sentence. They play a crucial role in sentence construction and must be used correctly to ensure clarity and accuracy in writing. Here are the rules for using quotation marks:

1. Direct Quotations: When incorporating someone's exact words into a sentence, use double quotation marks (" ") to enclose the quoted material. For example:
- Mary said, "I will be there at 5 o'clock."
- "I love reading," he exclaimed.

2. Quoting within a Quote: If a quotation contains another quotation, use single quotation marks (' ') to enclose the inner quotation. For example:
- John said, "Sara told me, 'I cannot attend the party tonight.'"

3. Punctuation Placement: In American English, commas and periods are placed inside the closing quotation mark, even if they are not part of the original quotation. However, colons and semicolons are placed outside the closing quotation mark. For example:
- She said, "I will be there soon."
- He asked, "Where are you going?"
- The book is titled "The Great Gatsby."

4. Quoting Titles: When quoting titles of shorter works, such as articles or chapters, use quotation marks. For example:
- I read an interesting article titled "The Benefits of Exercise."

5. Quoting Titles of Longer Works: When referring to longer works, such as books, movies, or plays, use italics or underlining instead of quotation marks. For example:
- I recently watched the movie The Shawshank Redemption.
- She is currently reading the novel Pride and Prejudice.

6. Indirect Quotations: If you are paraphrasing someone's words rather than quoting them directly, do not use quotation marks. Instead, rephrase the statement in your own words. For example:
- He said he would arrive later. (Indirect quotation)

7. Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation: When using quotation marks with other punctuation marks, such as question marks or exclamation points, place them inside the closing quotation mark if they are part of the quoted material. If they apply to the entire sentence, place them outside the closing quotation mark. For example:
- Did she say, "I will be there soon"?
- He shouted, "Stop!" before running away.

Remember to proofread your writing to ensure that quotation marks are used accurately and consistently. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the intended meaning.