Correct quotation mark placement is a challenge! Test your knowledge of quotation rules in this fast 10-question quiz!

Which option below is correct?

"Gil will be bringing the scanner," Margaret told me.

"Gil will be bringing the scanner", Margaret told me.

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The quoted material is a sentence that would normally end in a period, like this:

Gil will be bringing the scanner.

Since it is followed by "Margaret told me," however, you need to replace the period with a comma and tuck it inside the quotation marks.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The quoted material is a sentence that would normally end in a period, like this:

Gil will be bringing the scanner.

Since it is followed by "Margaret told me," however, you need to replace the period with a comma and tuck it inside the quotation marks.

Which is correct in American English?

My boss called his boss a "sycophantic opportunist".

My boss called his boss a "sycophantic opportunist."

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

In American English, put periods and commas inside quotation marks even if it defies logic.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

In American English, put periods and commas inside quotation marks even if it defies logic.

Which is correct?

"Where are the motorcycle keys?" he asked.

"Where are the motorcycle keys"? he asked.

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Put the question mark inside the quotation marks when the quoted material is itself a question.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Put the question mark inside the quotation marks when the quoted material is itself a question.

In American English, which is correct?

Yes, I may have referred to Robin as a "walking sequin factory," but she is still my best friend.

Yes, I may have referred to Robin as a "walking sequin factory", but she is still my best friend.

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

In American English, the comma always goes inside the quotation marks. Sorry about that.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

In American English, the comma always goes inside the quotation marks. Sorry about that.

Which is correct?

Don't ever call me a "crotchety curmudgeon"!

Don't ever call me a "crotchety curmudgeon!"

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The exclamation point goes outside here because the quoted words are an element within the writer's (longer) exclamation.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The exclamation point goes outside here because the quoted words are an element within the writer's (longer) exclamation.

In American English, which of these is correct?

The chapter is called "Creatures of the Sea," and it is my favorite in the book.

The chapter is called "Creatures of the Sea", and it is my favorite in the book.

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Commas go inside the quotation marks in American English, even in cases where it is an article or story title rather than an actual quotation.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Commas go inside the quotation marks in American English, even in cases where it is an article or story title rather than an actual quotation.

Which is correct in American English?

She misspelled the words "currant," "tomato," and "broccoli."

She misspelled the words "currant", "tomato", and "broccoli".

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The comma goes inside in American English.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The comma goes inside in American English.

Which is correct?

My mother told me, "In the middle of lunch, Richard looked up "garrulous" in the dictionary."

My mother told me, "In the middle of lunch, Richard looked up 'garrulous' in the dictionary."

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

When you need to use quotation marks within quotation marks, use single quotes for the interior pair.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

When you need to use quotation marks within quotation marks, use single quotes for the interior pair.

Which is correct?

He yelled, "You have no right to delete my Oxford commas!"

He yelled, "You have no right to delete my Oxford commas"!

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Exclamation points go inside quotation marks when they are part of the quoted material.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Exclamation points go inside quotation marks when they are part of the quoted material.

Is the comma right before the quotation correct?

The CEO described her successor as, "a profoundly ethical leader."

yes

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The appearance of quotation marks does not automatically call for a comma. If the quoted words are being incorporated into the grammar of your own sentence, punctuate the same way you would if the words weren't in quotation marks.

However, if you begin with "He says" or something equivalent and follow that with a sentence, that is a different situation and does indeed require a comma. For example:

The CEO said, "My successor is a profoundly ethical leader."

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That’s correct! Here’s why:

However, if you begin with "He says" or something equivalent and follow that with a sentence, that is a different situation and does indeed require a comma. For example: