Inverted commas

Inverted commas: punctuation

Inverted commas, often referred to as quotation marks, are used in written language to denote speech, quotes, or to highlight specific words or phrases. They are punctuation makes that bring clarity to our written expressions, making our intent clear and our communication effective. They come in two main types:

• single inverted commas ('...') and,
• double inverted commas ("...").

Before we dive deeper, let's answer one burning question: 'What's the importance of inverted commas?' They serve as a clear way to signal direct speech, quotations from different sources, and to emphasize or denote irony or unfamiliar terms. Without them, understanding written language would be much trickier.

Punctuation rules

Punctuation rules for inverted commas can vary between American and British English, but here are some general guidelines:

Placement of Commas and Periods

In both American and British English, commas and periods are usually placed inside the inverted commas, whether they belong to the quoted material or not.

Placement of Colons and Semicolons

Colons and semicolons should be placed outside the inverted commas, regardless of whether you're using American or British English.

Placement of Question Marks and Exclamation Points

The placement of question marks and exclamation points depends on whether they are part of the quoted material or not. If they are part of the quoted material, they should be placed inside the inverted commas. If they're not, they should be placed outside.

Quotes within Quotes

When a quote is within another quote, single and double inverted commas are used alternatively. In American English, double quotes are used for the outer quote, and single quotes for the inner quote. In British English, it's the other way around.

Titles of Works

For titles of works like books, poems, songs, articles, etc., double inverted commas are used in American English, and single inverted commas are used in British English.

Inverted commas examples

To grasp the full scope of inverted commas' application, let's look at some examples.

Inverted commas meaning

Inverted commas, also known as quotation marks, serve a range of purposes in our written language. Their primary function is to set off direct speech, quoted text, and certain types of titles. They can also be used to indicate a special meaning of a word or phrase, like when it is used ironically or when it refers to a specific term or phrase in a particular field.

Single inverted commas

In British English, single inverted commas are typically used to mark direct speech or quotations. When a quotation is embedded within another, double inverted commas are used for the embedded quote.

For example: 'John said, "I'll be there soon."' Here, the overall statement is framed by single inverted commas, while the quoted speech is within double inverted commas.

Double inverted commas

In contrast, American English tends to use double inverted commas as the standard for quotations and direct speech. Using the previous example but applying American punctuation rules, it would be: "John said, 'I'll be there soon.'" Here, the overall statement is in double inverted commas, while the quoted speech is in single inverted commas.

Speech Marks or Inverted Commas

The terms 'speech marks' and 'inverted commas' are actually interchangeable. Both these terms refer to the same punctuation mark, used to indicate direct speech, quoted text, or to give special meaning to a word or phrase. Whether you call them speech marks or inverted commas usually depends on where you're from – the UK or the US.

Usage of inverted commas

Inverted commas are employed in various situations in writing. These include:

• Indicating direct speech: "I'm going for a walk," she said.
• Denoting a quote from a text: As Shakespeare once wrote, "All the world's a stage."
• Highlighting an unusual term: The 'Internet of Things' is transforming how we live.
• Indicating a title: Have you read the poem 'Daffodils' by William Wordsworth?
• Signifying irony: He's a real 'genius'.

Inverted commas, whether you call them speech marks or quotation marks, play an indispensable role in our written language. They breathe life into the text, transforming plain sentences into dynamic expressions of human speech, thought, and emotion. They are our silent allies, guiding us through the complex landscape of written communication. So, the next time you draft a text, take a moment to appreciate these unassuming punctuation marks.