How to Use Quotation Marks Correctly

Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to indicate the exact words that someone else has spoken or written. They are essential for quoting directly from a source or highlighting titles of short works like articles, poems, or chapters.

When using quotation marks in a sentence, it is crucial to place them at the beginning and end of the quoted material. For example, "I love reading books," said Sarah. In this sentence, the quoted words "I love reading books" are enclosed in quotation marks.

It is also important to remember that punctuation should be placed inside the quotation marks. For instance, "Could you please pass the salt?," John asked. The question mark is placed inside the quotation marks because it is part of the quoted sentence.

Additionally, if you are quoting a single word or short phrase, you can use single quotation marks within double quotation marks. For example, He called it a 'game-changer.'

Overall, correct usage of quotation marks is essential for maintaining clarity and accuracy when quoting or emphasizing specific words or phrases in your writing.