Outside of dialogue, when do you use single quotation marks and when do you use double?

Outside of dialogue, when do you use single quotation marks and when do you use double?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

answer:Brits use single quotation marks for dialogue; I know that that doesn’t answer the question, but it is interesting. If you are quoting within a dialogue, you use the other one She said, “I am really tired of people using ‘je ne sais quoi’ all the time.” – American She said, ‘I am really tired of people who use “je ne sais quoi” all the time.’ – UK
by

Related questions

How do you punctuate single words in quotation marks... does the placement of the quotation mark depend upon the punctuation used?

Description : How do you punctuate single words in quotation marks... does the placement of the quotation mark depend upon the punctuation used?

Last Answer : I use British English, and we would always place the full stop or question mark outside of the quotation marks, as in your third example. However, I wouldn’t put T in quotation marks in the first place.

What quotation marks are used for expressions to indicate it's not your original idea?

Description : What quotation marks are used for expressions to indicate it's not your original idea?

Last Answer : These——-> ” ” Or simply writing “not my original idea.”

Grammar question regarding quotation marks.

Description : Grammar question regarding quotation marks.

Last Answer : 1

"What" are some good examples of inappropriately used quotation marks?

Description : "What" are some good examples of inappropriately used quotation marks?

Last Answer : I laugh when people put air quotes around something ridiculous.

In your informal writing do you put punctuation inside or outside quotation marks?

Description : In your informal writing do you put punctuation inside or outside quotation marks?

Last Answer : I don’t have the MLA style memorized, but the rule I always learned, and the one I follow, is that punctuation goes inside the quotes when it is part of the quote, otherwise it goes outside.

Should exclamation points and question marks be at the beginning of a sentence?

Description : Should exclamation points and question marks be at the beginning of a sentence?

Last Answer : Perhaps. They do do that in Spanish.

Actual quoting aside, do you use quotation marks to indicate emphasis, or to indicate fatuousness?

Description : Actual quoting aside, do you use quotation marks to indicate emphasis, or to indicate fatuousness?

Last Answer : “Great” Question.

When using a search engine to search, then would you use quotation marks around search terms? -Technology

Description : When using a search engine to search, then would you use quotation marks around search terms? -Technology

Last Answer : Quotation marks should be used around a phrase or search terms. Surrounding terms with quotation marks limit the search results to only those Web pages that contain the exact phrase, we have specified. ... to have nothing to do with your topic. For best results, you should write death penalty .

in which of these sentences are quotation marks used incorrectly? -General Knowledge

Description : in which of these sentences are quotation marks used incorrectly? -General Knowledge

Last Answer : Quotation marks are used incorrectly in: 'What can you possibly mean by that'! she stormed. The exclamation mark should appear within the quotation marks.

String as a value of alt attribute must be enclosed in quotation marks. -Technology

Description : String as a value of alt attribute must be enclosed in quotation marks. -Technology

Last Answer : True alt attribute contains the string which must be enclosed in quotation marks

are quotation marks text features?

Description : are quotation marks text features?

Last Answer : ｢ ｣ are quotation marks used in East Asian languages, though they have been repurposed for other contexts (see below). In English, typographers mostly prefer not to set brackets in italics ... the delimiter, though if the sentence contains commas for other purposes, visual confusion may result. T

Where can I find worksheets for quotation marks?

Description : Where can I find worksheets for quotation marks?

Last Answer : There is a website called englishforeveryone.org that offers free worksheets on how to use quotation marks in sentences, as well as for 8 other punctuation marks. The site also provides the answer ... accuracy. Here is the link to the website: http://www.englishforeveryone.org/Topics/Punctuation.htm

Should double negative in English become recognized formally?

Description : Should double negative in English become recognized formally?

Last Answer : This is like asking should we make driving the wrong way down a one way street legal? Ain’t not gonna happen.

When people see two rainbows together, why do they often call them a "double rainbow" instead of "double rainbows"?

Description : When people see two rainbows together, why do they often call them a "double rainbow" instead of "double rainbows"?

Last Answer : Possibly because one is a ghost of the other, less brilliant and more smoky. Probably just because it developed as part of the vernacular, like many deer, moose and fish but several coyotes, wolves and eels.

How to punctuate a "double possessive" (e.g., McDonald's' prices are...)?

Description : How to punctuate a "double possessive" (e.g., McDonald's' prices are...)?

Last Answer : naww. definitely not. why not just say, “the prices AT McDonald’s”?

What is the official meaning of the double space in a short story or novel?

Description : What is the official meaning of the double space in a short story or novel?

Last Answer : I think it’s generally always a passage of time…I’m not sure there’s anything else it means. If not a passage of time, it might be a parallel storyline happening at the same time and the double space just divides the stories.

The increased gain of 10 dbs for single line & ‘D’ marks rails on double/multiple lines shall be employed for classification of defects. (i) defect in weld (ii) defects in rail. * (iii) for both defects on weld & rail. (iv) None of above.

Description : The increased gain of 10 dbs for single line & ‘D’ marks rails on double/multiple lines shall be employed for classification of defects. (i) defect in weld (ii) defects in rail. * (iii) for both defects on weld & rail. (iv) None of above.

Last Answer : ii) defects in rail. *

When putting dialogue into fiction, should you use double quotations or singular?

Description : When putting dialogue into fiction, should you use double quotations or singular?

Last Answer : Double

The values of the attributes are enclosed in double question marks. -Technology

Description : The values of the attributes are enclosed in double question marks. -Technology

Last Answer : False The values of the attributes are enclosed in double quotation marks.

A man was shot to death while in his car. There were no powder marks on his clothing, which indicated that the gunman was outside the car. However, all the windows were up and the doors locked. After a close inspection was made, the only bullet-holes discovered were on the man's body. How was he murdered? -Riddles

Description : A man was shot to death while in his car. There were no powder marks on his clothing, which indicated that the gunman was outside the car. However, all the windows were up and the doors locked. ... was made, the only bullet-holes discovered were on the man's body. How was he murdered? -Riddles

Last Answer : The victim was in a convertible. He was shot when the top was down.

The use of the word "warrant"?

Description : The use of the word "warrant"?

Last Answer : They aren't incorrect. They are a bit awkward. People don't use warranted in that manner in everyday speech, especially in the second example. Warranted implies ether a sort of authorization, ... reason or justification. Those sense would not be used in a conversation about someone seeking a job.

Is the use of "have eaten" correct in this sentence?

Description : Is the use of "have eaten" correct in this sentence?

Last Answer : have not

The use of articles?

Description : The use of articles?

Last Answer : No 1 is correct. No native English speaker would use 2 or 3.

Would you post good links that explain when to use who and whom?

Description : Would you post good links that explain when to use who and whom?

Last Answer : Where would you find a “good” link? Maybe a book on grammar?

Is the secret goal of Merv Griffins, Wheel of Fortune, to teach Americans not to use different dialects, or slang?

Description : Is the secret goal of Merv Griffins, Wheel of Fortune, to teach Americans not to use different dialects, or slang?

Last Answer : No. Why would that be a goal? What would be gained from that? And suppose it were a goal of the Merv Griffin production company. How effective would it be to spread their philosophy through one pissant game show?

When should you use "should" and when should you use "shouldn't"?

Description : When should you use "should" and when should you use "shouldn't"?

Last Answer : Well, it sounded OK to me but I guess folks could argue that it was redundant.

What can the following statement re. what cars use be misunderstood as?

Description : What can the following statement re. what cars use be misunderstood as?

Last Answer : One needs the beginning of the statement or even the whole article to understand that part.

When do you use a period between the letters in an abbreviation?

Description : When do you use a period between the letters in an abbreviation?

Last Answer : One places a period at the end or each letter (for initialized abbreviations) , i.e.,, U.S. If the abbreviation is the shortening of a longer word, one places it at the end, i.e., apt. for apartment., or appt. for appointment.

Do you use both commas when a modifier follows a coordinating conjunction?

Description : Do you use both commas when a modifier follows a coordinating conjunction?

Last Answer : Depends on whether or not I want to emphasise.

Do I use "who" or "whom" in "regardless of whom they work for"?

Description : Do I use "who" or "whom" in "regardless of whom they work for"?

Last Answer : Substitute “he” or “him”. They work for him. Therefore use whom. They don’t work for he So don’t use who

Do you native English speakers use Future Perfect?

Description : Do you native English speakers use Future Perfect?

Last Answer : I would use it if it were appropriate. I can't say, Oh yes, I used it a week ago on Monday, but I have used that tense at times in the past. Of course, I know ... things in everyday conversation. I find that other native speakers understand me when I use formally, grammatically correct English.

When to use "although" and "despite"?

Description : When to use "although" and "despite"?

Last Answer : answer:Although plenty of people here will probably have different opinions, English is kind of a weird language when you think about it so despite all those opinions, whatever sounds best is probably the way to go. Yes, I did that on purpose. Got the idea when I read the title.

Why can't people use the word "anymore" correctly anymore?

Description : Why can't people use the word "anymore" correctly anymore?

Last Answer : answer:I've been hearing this for many years (decades), and it still bugs me. The difference is that we expect to hear it used with a negative construction: I don't eat sweets any more. With ... absorb some very mistaken ideas. If I can ever post questions again, I have one on a related subject.

What happened to the proper use of the apostrophe?

Description : What happened to the proper use of the apostrophe?

Last Answer : answer:People just don’t think about it. They may be the same ones who apparently don’t know when to use “your, you’re.” But no, the rules haven’t changed. A new one has me spinning a little…the inability to understand when to use “sell” or “sale.”

When do you use "grey" versus "gray"?

Description : When do you use "grey" versus "gray"?

Last Answer : Always grey, because that is the correct way to spell that word.

Is there a rule of thumb in English for which of two equivalent contractions to use [see examples]?

Description : Is there a rule of thumb in English for which of two equivalent contractions to use [see examples]?

Last Answer : no rule that I can remember. The contraction at the front of the sentence tempts me to guess that you’re an engineer or technical writer. Funny, but I don’t think it would occur to me to state “I’ve not” instead of “I haven’t”. Are you fluent in other languages?

Is this the proper use of the word "cowardice"?

Description : Is this the proper use of the word "cowardice"?

Last Answer : answer:“Cowardice” is a noun. “His unwillingness to help the wounded was an act of cowardice.” The adjective is “cowardly. “He behaved in a cowardly manner.” ”...than that of an ignorant, disrespectful, closed-mindeded, cowardly man.”

I still don’t know when to use their and there.

Description : I still don’t know when to use their and there.

Last Answer : answer:Their is strictly used to indicate a possessive relationship. There isn’t

Need help from Fluther's grammarians. Can you help me to determine if I should use "subsequent" or "subsequently" in this sentence?

Description : Need help from Fluther's grammarians. Can you help me to determine if I should use "subsequent" or "subsequently" in this sentence?

Last Answer : Subsequently

Why is it that people with poor grammar skills consistently confuse when to use 'I' and when to use 'me'?

Description : Why is it that people with poor grammar skills consistently confuse when to use 'I' and when to use 'me'?

Last Answer : answer:Technically, “This is I,” is correct. “He sent a telegram to my grandson and I” is not. The really easy way to prevent this is to separate the double subject or object into two parts. “Me went shopping.” “He sent a telegram to I.”

When to use "at" or "with?"?

Description : When to use "at" or "with?"?

Last Answer : In my opinion both are correct. But, I am not an expert.

Do you know any website I can use to improve grammar and writing?

Description : Do you know any website I can use to improve grammar and writing?

Last Answer : This Grammar of Doom game from the list looks like fun.

Do you use "shall" or prefer "will"?

Description : Do you use "shall" or prefer "will"?

Last Answer : Oh, what shall I do? I don’t think I will ever use shall.

Can someone educate me on the use of semicolons and dashes?

Description : Can someone educate me on the use of semicolons and dashes?

Last Answer : answer:The semicolon - apart from its use as an occasional list separator such as when items with commas are included in the list - functions as a conjunction; that is, it's a joining' punctuation ... phrase or dependent clause from the rest of the sentence. I've given you examples of each above.

What is the proper way to let a Spanish speaker know it's okay to use informal pronouns?

Description : What is the proper way to let a Spanish speaker know it's okay to use informal pronouns?

Last Answer : Just tell her, “por favor, no tienes que usar usted conmigo, prefiero tú.” Not sure if that is the “right” way, but she will know what you mean. If your Spanish isn’t great it won’t matter if it isn’t perfect.

Speakers of other languages: do you notice as much incorrect and ignorant use of those languages (please name them) by native speakers as you hear and see among native speakers of English?

Description : Speakers of other languages: do you notice as much incorrect and ignorant use of those languages (please name them) by native speakers as you hear and see among native speakers of English?

Last Answer : answer:I have always said of myself in my feeble attempts at best at being multilingual… “I can screw up grammar, syntax, and punctuation in about 6 languages.” Especially english, which is my native language.

Any web references for correct syntax use?

Description : Any web references for correct syntax use?

Last Answer : It’s unclear whether you want this in English or Italian, but I think what you’re looking for is a reference for idioms. If you google the word, you’ll find many out there. Here’s one that has lots of examples: The Idiom Connection .

Use of articles in these sentences?

Description : Use of articles in these sentences?

Last Answer : answer:I would write: The error message is displayed at the bottom of the home page. Look both ways when crossing a road. The error message displayed on the home page is wrong. Either of number ... changed a few words in these, so I'm doing more than addressing your questions regarding the articles.

Quick citation help/punctuation question. Would I use another period?

Description : Quick citation help/punctuation question. Would I use another period?

Last Answer : Leave it as it is. The punctuation is fine. : )

Do you use the word "cannot" ?

Description : Do you use the word "cannot" ?

Last Answer : “The doctor said that I cannot eat for a day before the blood test.” “Are you you going to be able to do that?” “I can not eat for a day.” “You’re lucky; that would be impossible for me. I can’t not eat for a day.”