definition of speech marks

What are speech marks? Examples and how to use them

In this guide, learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!

Author Eliana Sk

Published April 14, 2022

Author Jane Doe

Learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!

Author Eliana Doe

• Key takeaways
• Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken
• Speech marks look like this: “ ”
• Knowing the difference between direct speech and indirect speech can help us know how to use speech marks

Table of contents

What are speech marks?

Where are speech marks used, how to use speech marks.

From novels to news reports, speech marks are used in all sorts of places! In this guide, we take a look at what they are, where they’re used and some handy rules to keep in mind when using them.

Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken.

They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, and they always appear in pairs at the beginning and end of what was said.

This is what they look like:  “ ”

And here’s an example of some speech marks in action:

“The words that appear between speech marks are the exact words that someone has said,” said the teacher.

Unlock unlimited English questions

Put your learning into practice with fun exercises + games that are proven to boost ability!

You can find speech marks everywhere. They’re common in stories, news articles, poetry and essays. By showing when someone is speaking, speech marks can help make a text more lively and easier to read.

In a story, speech marks may show which of the characters is speaking. For example, in a children’s book you may read:

“We always eat in the garden,” said Markus.

In a news article, speech marks can be used to show a statement made by an expert. For example:

Economists say that “the increase in production will help the job market to grow”.

Explore speech marks with DoodleEnglish

DoodleEnglish is an award-winning app that’s filled with thousands of questions and games exploring spelling, grammar and punctuation!

Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, boosting their skills with just 10 minutes of use a day. Try it free!

When do children learn about speech marks?

Children usually start learning about speech marks around the age of 7.

Before they learn about speech marks, they’ll first be taught about other forms of punctuation, including full stops, commas, exclamation marks and question marks.

Being able to tell the difference between direct and indirect speech will help children to effectively use speech marks.

• Direct speech:  shows the exact words that were spoken by a person or character. Speech marks are used at the beginning and end of direct speech to represent what someone has said.
• Indirect speech:  shows what someone said without using their exact words. Speech marks aren’t used in these cases.
• A  reporting clause  will let a reader know who said the direct speech and how they said it.

You should always separate direct speech from the reporting clause by a comma.

This may sound a little complicated, but if we look at an example it will all be clearer.

Anne said, “It’s snowing!”

In this example, ‘Anne said’ is the reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Anne who spoke. This clause is separated by a comma from Anne’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s snowing!”).

If you’re writing a conversation between multiple people, reporting clauses can also help to clarify who’s speaking, and when.

Speech mark examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of speech marks in actions. These will help us better understand the different uses of speech marks.

The teacher said that Anthony’s story was “exceptionally written” and that’s why she read it to the whole class.

In this example, a fragmented part of the teacher’s statement is quoted. This is why the statement isn’t capitalised and has no punctuation before or within the quotation marks.

Markus laughed, “Did you see how high I jumped?”

“I know! It was amazing!” Adriana agreed.

In this example, two different people are speaking. The reporting clauses (‘Marcus laughed’ and ‘Adriana agreed’) shows us who is speaking. Each speaker is also placed on a new line to help the reader see that a new person has started speaking.

“It’s amazing,” William exclaimed, “there are bubbles everywhere!”

In this example, the statement made by William is separated by the reporting clause. This is a fun way of adding some character to your writing when using speech marks.

“Polar bears are my favourite real animals,” Mario said. He then told us about the mythical animals he likes more than polar bears.

This is an interesting example because only part of what Mario said is directly written down. The rest is summarised in indirect speech, and this is why there are no speech marks in the second sentence.

How to use speech marks when writing

If you’d like to quote a phrase or statement, using speech marks will show the reader that these aren’t your original words.

Speech marks are also a great way to give emphasis to certain phrases.

If you’re writing stories, they’ll also help to separate when the different characters are talking. Keep in mind that speech is a faster way of moving a story forward, so be careful about how much you use them!

General rules for using speech marks

There are a few helpful rules to keep in mind when using speech marks:

• Sentences made by different characters or people will need to be in separate lines
• If you’re using a person’s full statement, the punctuation of the sentence will need to be within the quotation marks. This includes full stops, exclamation marks, and question marks.
• If a reporting clause is before the speech marks, you’ll need a comma to separate the two. This comma will be before the speech marks.
• If a reporting clause comes in the middle of two quoted sentence parts, you’ll need a comma at the end of the speech marks in the first part and at the beginning of the speech marks in the second part of the sentence

Final thoughts

Using speech marks is relatively easy once you realise they’re only used to express what someone said. When writing an essay or story, speech marks can also help to make your writing more interesting and lively!

To learn even more about speech marks, why not download the  DoodleEnglish app ?

It’s filled with interactive exercises exploring the topic, making it the perfect way to put your learning into practice.

Best of all, it’s designed to be used for just 10 minutes a day — and you can try it for absolutely free!

FAQs about speech marks

Speech marks are punctuation marks that show the words someone has spoken. They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas.

If we look at an example: Peter said, “It’s raining!”

‘Peter said’ is a reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Peter who spoke.

This clause is separated by a comma from Peter’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s raining!”).

You should use speech marks each time someone speaks.

Speech marks are also called ‘inverted commas’.

You should use inverted commas whenever someone speaks in your writing.

Single speech marks (‘ ‘) can be used to replace double quotation marks (” “) when they’re inside of double quotation marks.

Try DoodleEnglish for free!

Related posts

Complex sentence guide

Find out what complex sentences are and how to use them

Spelling activities for KS2

There are lots of fun ways you can liven up spelling practice!

What is SPaG? A guide

SPaG is a really important concept in English, but what does it mean?

What we offer

Quick links

All rights reserved. 

Are you a parent, teacher or student?

Get started for free!

Maths information pack

We ask for your contact info so we can send our info pack directly to your inbox for your convenience, exam prep information pack, case studies information pack.

Book a chat with our team

I’m new to Doodle

My school is already using Doodle

Information pack

We ask for your contact info so that our education consultants can get in touch with you and let you know a bit more about doodle., student login, which programme would you like to use.

DoodleMaths

DoodleTables

DoodleEnglish

DoodleSpell

If you’d like to use Doodle’s browser version, please visit this page on a desktop.

To log in to Doodle on this device, you can do so through our apps. You can find out how to download them here:

• English Grammar
• Punctuation
• Quotation Marks

Quotation Marks - Definition, Types, Rules and Examples

Are you a person who often uses air quotes to quote something when you speak? Well, you would probably know how to use quotation marks in writing as well. Even if you do not know much about the use of quotation marks, there is nothing to worry about. In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about quotation marks, its types, functions and usage. You can also go through the number of examples given for an in-depth understanding of the same.

Table of Contents

What are quotation marks – meaning and definition, single quotation marks, double quotation marks, using quotation marks in sentences – points to remember, check your understanding of the usage of quotation marks in sentences, frequently asked questions on the usage of quotation marks.

Quotation marks, also called speech marks, are one of the punctuation marks in English which can be used to quote the exact words of the speaker in a sentence and also to indicate names, titles and so on. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines ‘quotation marks’ as “a pair of marks (‘  ’) or ( “ ” ) placed around a word, sentence, etc. to show that it is what somebody said or wrote, that it is a title or that you are using it in an unusual way.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, quotation marks are defined as “the symbols “ ” or ‘ ’ that are put around a word or phrase to show that someone else has written or said it”.

The Collins Dictionary gives a much clearer definition of the usage of quotation marks in a sentence. According to them, “either of the punctuation marks used to begin or end a quotation, respectively “ and ” or ‘ and ’ in English printing and writing. When double marks are used, single marks indicate a quotation within a quotation, and vice versa.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary also gives a hint of the function of quotation marks in the following words, “one of a pair of punctuation marks ” ” or ‘ ‘ used chiefly to indicate the beginning and the end of a quotation in which the exact phraseology of another or of a text is directly cited.”

Types of Quotation Marks with Examples

In the English language , there are two types of quotation marks namely,

• Single quotation marks and
• Double quotation marks

They vary in their usage and perform different functions in a sentence. Take a look at how these two types of quotation marks are used in sentences.

Single quotation marks, also called ‘inverted commas’, are mainly used to quote names, book titles, movie titles, characters and specific terms that are given more importance than usual.

For example:

• We finally found ‘the coat’.

In the above example, ‘the coat’ is placed within single quotation marks as it specifically refers to a particular coat that they should have been looking for a long time.

• Our English teacher asked us to read ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ before Friday.
• My brother and his friend, Philip went to watch ‘Don’ at the new theatre.
• The acronym, ‘WFH’, meaning ‘Work from Home’, has been used very frequently by youngsters and adults alike.

In the above examples, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, ‘Don’ and ‘WFH’ are placed within single quotation marks as they are the title of a play, the name of a movie and a particular acronym,

Double quotation marks are chiefly used to quote something someone said in their exact words, as in direct speech. They can also be used to cite something that is written or said by another person or author.

• “I had a dream”, said Martin Luther King. Likewise, I do too.
• Nick said, “I enjoy watching musicals.”

In the above sentences, you will see that “I had a dream” is a particular citation and so placed within double quotation marks. The second sentence quotes the exact words of Nick; therefore, they are placed within double quotation marks.

The first and most fundamental rule to be followed when using quotation marks is that you have to close the quotation marks. You can never leave quotation marks open as they are always used in pairs. Also, since quotation marks are meant to quote specific terms, words, sentences and paragraphs, you have to mark the end of whatever is quoted.

There is yet another point that you have to bear in mind. Never use quotation marks unnecessarily. Any punctuation mark, for that matter, has to be used only where it has to be used; otherwise, it would make the sentence look flawed and also alter the meaning of the sentence.

Use appropriate quotation marks wherever necessary in the following sentences.

1. Naomi said, I feel very excited as it is the first day of work.

2. Have you read The Pilgrim’s Progress?

3. Shakespeare once said, All the world’s a stage and we are all actors.

4. The Ice Age: Collision Course is the last one of the Ice Age movie sequels.

5. Have you ever heard of FOMO?

6. Terry said, I have been promoted to be head of sales for the entire northern division.

7. The crowd cheered, An absolute hero!

8. Nothing’s gonna change my love for you is my mom’s favourite song.

9. Who is the class leader? asked the Principal.

10. A Sensible Heart is a psychoanalytic novel.

Now, find out if you used the right quotation marks in the right places from the answers given below,

1. Naomi said, “ I feel very excited as it is the first day of work. ”

2. Have you read ‘ The Pilgrim’s Progress ’ ?

3. Shakespeare once said, “ All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. ”

4. The ‘ Ice Age: Collision Course ‘ is the last one of the Ice Age movie sequels.

5. Have you ever heard of ‘ FOMO ’ ?

6. Terry said, “ I have been promoted to be head of sales for the entire northern division. ”

7. The crowd cheered, “ An absolute hero! ”

8. ‘ Nothing’s gonna change my love for you ’ is my mom’s favourite song.

9. “ Who is the class leader? ”, asked the Principal.

10. ‘ A Sensible Heart ’ is a psychoanalytic novel.

What are quotation marks?

Quotation marks, also called speech marks, are one of the punctuation marks in English which can be used to quote the exact words of the speaker in a sentence and also to indicate names, titles and so on.

What is the definition of quotation marks?

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines ‘quotation marks’ as “a pair of marks (‘  ’) or ( “ ” ) placed around a word, sentence, etc. to show that it is what somebody said or wrote, that it is a title or that you are using it in an unusual way.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, quotation marks are defined as “the symbols “ ” or ‘ ’ that are put around a word or phrase to show that someone else has written or said it”.

What are the two types of quotation marks?

There are two types of quotation marks in the English language namely,

• Single quotation marks

Give some examples of sentences using quotation marks.

Here are a few examples of sentences to show you how quotation marks can be used.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Quotation Marks

What are quotation marks.

(1) To identify previously spoken or written words.

• The philosopher Socrates said: "The poets are only the interpreters of the gods."

(2) To signify so-called or alleged .

• I bought this "fresh" fish an hour ago.

(3) To highlight the name of things like ships, books, and plays.

• I served on the "Ark Royal."

(4) To show that a word refers to the word itself not the word's meaning.

• "Dogs" is plural.

Table of Contents

Examples of Quotation Marks in Sentences

Types of quotation marks, why quotation marks are important.

(1) Quotation marks to identify previously spoken or written words

• George Bernard Shaw said: "When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth."
• If you think what your uncle said is funny, then you should take Shaw's advice and "search it carefully for a hidden truth."

(2) Quotation marks to signify so-called or alleged

• So, when are you and your "girlfriend" leaving?
• My "mates" drove off with my clothes, leaving me in the lake.

(3) Quotation marks to highlight the name of things like ships, books, and plays.

• "The Herald of Free Enterprise" was a passenger ferry which capsized moments after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on the night of 6 March 1987.
• Did you watch "Billy Elliot" in the West End?
• Is "data" plural?
• In the US, "dependent" is used for both the adjective and the noun. In the UK, "dependant" is a noun, and "dependent" is an adjective.
• She said: "My dog can say 'sausages' much more clearly than the one on TV."
• Homer Simpson said: "Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding 'you're making a scene'."

This is called nesting quotations.

• Homer Simpson said: 'Maybe, just once, someone will call me "Sir" without adding "you're making a scene".'
• Does punctuation go inside or outside the quotation?
• Should I precede a quotation with a comma, a colon, or nothing?
• How do I edit a quotation?
• Should I use single and double quotation marks?
• Stick to the given rules for using quotation marks. Don't use them to highlight important words. That's not a recognized usage.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

You might also like...

Help us improve....

Was something wrong with this page?

Use #gm to find us quicker .

Create a QR code for this, or any, page.

mailing list

grammar forum

teachers' zone

Confirmatory test.

This test is printable and sendable

expand to full page

show as slides

download as .doc

print as handout

send as homework

display QR code

Grammar: How To Use Speech Marks Correctly

Written by Dan

Last updated September 20, 2023

Understanding how to use speech marks correctly in reading and writing is an essential grammar skill that can help your students effectively communicate their ideas.

However, mastering the correct usage of these punctuation symbols can be a challenge for some children.

By clearly demonstrating the purpose of speech marks and providing plenty of practice opportunities, you can give your students the confidence to utilize them accurately in all sorts of contexts.

In this blog post, we will discuss what speech marks are, when they should be used, and how to teach effective grammar lessons focusing on their use.

So, if you’re looking for fresh ways to engage students with learning about grammar via speech mark practices then keep reading!

Table of Contents

Understanding Speech Marks

What are speech marks.

Speech marks, also known as quotation marks or inverted commas, are punctuation marks used in pairs to indicate direct speech, a quotation, or a phrase.

They play a key role in guiding the reader through the text by indicating who is speaking or highlighting essential phrases.

Have you ever wondered how you know when a character in a book is speaking? That’s right! It’s because of the speech marks.

The Role and Importance of Speech Marks in Writing and Reading

Speech marks serve a critical function in both writing and reading. In writing, they help to distinguish dialogue from narrative, highlight specific phrases or words for emphasis, and indicate direct quotations from sources.

In reading, they provide visual cues that aid comprehension and interpretation.

Imagine reading a novel without speech marks. It would be challenging to differentiate between the characters’ spoken words and the author’s narrative, wouldn’t it?

Speech marks create clarity and structure, making our reading experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Common Misconceptions About Speech Marks

One common misconception is that speech marks are only used to denote dialogue. While this is one of their primary functions, it is not their sole purpose.

They can also be used to indicate irony, introduce unfamiliar terms or phrases, or signify titles of short works.

Another misconception is that single and double speech marks can be used interchangeably. However, their usage varies based on regional style guidelines.

For instance, American English typically uses double speech marks (” “), while British English often prefers single speech marks (‘ ‘).

When to Use Speech Marks

Scenarios for using speech marks.

Speech marks are not just decorative flourishes in our writing; they have specific functions and should be used appropriately. So, when exactly should we use them?

• Direct Speech : This is the most common scenario for using speech marks. Whenever a character or person is speaking directly, their words should be enclosed within speech marks. For instance: “I’m excited about the upcoming vacation,” she said.
• Quotations : When quoting a phrase or sentence directly from a source, we use speech marks to indicate that these are not our own words. For example: As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
• Titles of Short Works : Speech marks are used to denote the titles of short works like poems , short stories, song titles, and articles. Example: I just read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.
• Words Used Unusually or Sarcasm : When a word is used in an unconventional way or to indicate sarcasm or irony, it is often placed within speech marks. Example: He was so “excited” to clean his room.

Examples Demonstrating Correct Use of Speech Marks

Let’s put this into practice with some examples:

• Direct Speech: John said, “I will pick you up at 8 pm.”
• Quotation: The motivational speaker started his speech with, “As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.'”
• Title: Have you read the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”?
• Sarcasm: Yeah, I really “love” getting stuck in traffic.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, errors can creep into our use of speech marks. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Incorrect Placement of Punctuation : In American English, periods and commas go inside the speech marks, regardless of logic. For instance: “I’m going to the park,” she said. Not “I’m going to the park”, she said.
• Single and Double Speech Marks : Remember, the use of single (‘ ‘) and double (” “) speech marks depends on regional style guidelines. Stick to one style consistently throughout your writing.
• Unnecessary Use of Speech Marks : Speech marks should not be used for emphasis. Instead, use italics or bold. Incorrect: The “best” ice cream in town. Correct: The best ice cream in town.

How to Teach Speech Marks Effectively

The importance of clear demonstrations and practice opportunities.

Teaching speech marks is not just about explaining the rules; it’s about illustrating these rules with clear examples and providing ample practice opportunities.

Why, you ask? Because learning is a process of doing. It’s one thing to understand the theory behind speech marks, but applying that knowledge consistently in writing is what truly ingrains the concept.

To demonstrate the use of speech marks, start by showing students examples from their favorite books or articles. Discuss how the speech marks guide them through who’s speaking or what’s being emphasized.

Then, let them practice by writing dialogues or quoting phrases, and encourage peer reviews for constructive feedback.

Strategies and Tips for Teaching Speech Marks Correctly

• Use Visual Aids : Visual aids like posters or flashcards with speech mark rules can be potent tools. Display them prominently in the classroom or share them online for easy reference.
• Encourage Reading : The more students read, the more they’ll see speech marks in action. This exposure will help them understand and remember when and how to use them.
• Create Sentence Starters : Provide sentence starters that require speech marks, such as “She said, ‘…'” or “‘…,’ he thought.” This will give students a framework to begin practicing.
• Give Regular Feedback : Regular and specific feedback is crucial in helping students improve . Praise correct usage and gently correct mistakes, explaining clearly why changes are necessary.

Innovative Methods to Engage Students in Learning About Speech Marks

Learning doesn’t have to be boring, and teaching speech marks is no exception. Here are some innovative methods to make learning about speech marks fun and engaging:

• Speech Marks Games: Create games where students have to spot errors in the use of speech marks or add them correctly in sentences.
• Worksheets : Worksheets with fill-in-the-blank exercises or sentence correction tasks can provide valuable practice. You can find many such resources online or create your own tailored to your students’ needs.
• Online Resources : Websites like Khan Academy or Grammarly offer interactive lessons and quizzes on speech marks. These platforms turn learning into a fun, game-like experience.

Teaching speech marks effectively requires a balance of clear instruction, ample practice opportunities, and engaging activities.

With these strategies, you’re well on your way to making your students’ journey in mastering speech marks an exciting and rewarding one!

Educators, the baton is now in your hands! You have been equipped with a treasure chest of strategies, tips, and resources to teach speech marks effectively.

Remember, as you navigate this journey, your role is to impart knowledge and inspire curiosity and a love for language in your students.

Take these strategies and mould them to fit your unique classroom environment . Adapt them to cater to your students’ diverse learning styles.

Your dedication to teaching these fundamental aspects of grammar will lay the groundwork for their success in reading and writing.

As we wrap up this discussion on speech marks, let’s not view it as an end but as a stepping stone to broader horizons.

The world of grammar teaching practices is vast and ever-evolving, filled with innovative methods and exciting discoveries.

So, continue exploring, continue learning. Dive into professional development courses, join online teaching communities, or exchange ideas with your fellow educators.

Every step you take in this direction enriches your teaching repertoire and empowers your students in their learning journey.

Remember, every great writer was once a learner; perhaps an educator like you sparked that flame.

So, go ahead, ignite the spark. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next Shakespeare or J.K. Rowling in your classroom!

Keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, keep inspiring. The world needs more educators like you.

Related Posts

• Grammar Explained: ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why, How’

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

Join our email list to receive the latest updates.

Add your form here

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of speech mark in English

• Everything in the speech marks has a capital letter at the beginning .
• Acknowledge the quotation with speech marks and cite the source .
• In one exercise the teacher " incorrectly " places speech marks and full stops , while the pupils call out the correct answers .
• abbreviated
• curly bracket
• diacritical
• parenthesis
• punctuation mark
• repunctuation
• round bracket
• scare quotes
• small capitals

Word of the Day

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

to press the button on the left of a computer mouse in order to make the computer do something

Simply the best! (Ways to describe the best)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• English    Noun
• All translations

To add speech mark to a word list please sign up or log in.

Add speech mark to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

• Dictionaries home
• American English
• Collocations
• German-English
• Grammar home
• Practical English Usage
• Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
• Word Lists home
• My Word Lists
• Recent additions
• Resources home
• Text Checker

Definition of speech marks noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• speech marks
• The author's punctuation goes outside the speech marks.

Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!

Other results

Nearby words.

Speech Marks

Learn how to use speech marks correctly.

Speech marks, also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, are crucial in all styles of writing, from story writing to explanation writing .

We use speech to make a piece of writing as easy to understand as possible. Without proper use, readers may not understand when a character is speaking, or which character is speaking.

In non-fiction writing, a pair of quotation marks/double quotation marks are normally used to add direct quotes or titles to a text. Single quotation marks are used to mark a quote within another quote.

This guide includes lots of examples, tips, and resources to help your child master their use of speech marks. Let’s dive in!

How to use speech marks in dialogue

While learning how to use speech marks in academic writing is important, your child will mainly be using this punctuation mark to add dialogue to their writing. Here are some general rules and different uses for speech marks your child should know:

• Double quotation marks should be used for direct quotes from the character who is speaking.
• They should appear before and after the words being spoken by a character.
• The use of other punctuation marks will still be necessary.
• “That ice cream was delicious!” exclaimed Grudge the Bear.

Notice how in the above example, an exclamation mark is still used at the end of Grudge’s statement to express that he was excited about how delicious his ice cream was! When using a question mark in speech, your child should punctuate the speech marks the same way.

• “Will you go to the movies with me later?” asked Grudge the Bear.

In other instances, when indicating direct speech that would normally have a full stop/period at the end the sentence, we replace it with a comma:

• “I’m going to visit my grandmother later,” explained Grudge the Bear.

Your child can introduce a character before their dialogue by moving the reporting clause to the front of the direct speech, and add a comma after the dialogue tag. In this case, they can then end the speech with a full stop/period, just as they would without speech marks:

• Grudge the Bear explained, “I’m going to visit my grandmother later.”

It’s also important that your child starts a new line whenever they introduce a new speaker.

• Grudge the Bear asked, “Will you go to the movies with me later?”
• “Yes, I’ll get the tickets!” said Florence Flamingo.

Notice how because a new speaker is introduced, your child should do this on a new line. This helps the story look more organized and makes it easier for the readers to know who is speaking and when!

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech

Direct speech is the part of the sentence that’s surrounded by quotation marks. Indirect speech, on the other hand, is not surrounded by speech marks and is just written within the text like any other sentence.

• Direct speech: “Why don’t you want to watch a movie with me?” asked Grudge the Bear.
• Indirect speech: Grudge the Bear asked me why I didn’t want to watch a movie with him.

In the above examples, the same speech is being expressed, but in different ways. In the direct speech example, the question is coming directly from Grudge. However, in the indirect speech example, the author is explaining to the reader the question that Grudge asked. These two ways of expressing the same speech have different implications behind them, which is why an author may choose one type of speech over the other at certain times in their stories.

Other uses for speech marks

• They can sometimes be used to replace italics - this is usually done with shorter direct quotes from books, articles, or films
• To add direct quotations (exact words) to a non-fiction text, like a report or explanation writing piece.
• They let the reader know that the quote in the piece of nonfiction writing is not original, and is being cited from an external source. The quoted material should be followed by parentheses including the original source’s author.

In British English, single quotation marks are used more often, whereas in American English they’re only used to add a quote within a quote.

Activity & resource

Now that your child has learned everything they need to know about speech marks, here's a free resource to help them practice their new skills:

How Night Zookeeper can help

Night Zookeeper makes reading & writing fantastically fun for children.

Our award-winning reading & writing program covers all the essential language skills, from spelling , to grammar , punctuation and reading comprehension .

Sign up today to get a FREE 7-day trial!

More resources

• Capital Letters
• Apostrophes
• Punctuation (overview)

Related content

• Elementary Writing Curriculum
• Elementary Language Arts
• Language Arts Resources
• Elementary Writing Prompts
• Elementary Writing Activities

Make Reading & Writing Fantastically Fun!

• Award-winning reading & writing program for kids
• Improves spelling, grammar, punctuation & vocabulary
• Over 1,000 different learning games and activities

• Create new account
• Reset your password

Register and get FREE resources and activities

Ready to unlock all our resources?

What are speech marks?

Inverted commas (also known as speech marks and quotation marks ) are punctuation marks that show us where direct speech starts and ends.

Download Fantastic FREE Grammar Resources!

• Perfect Punctuation Workbook
• Grammar Games Pack
• PLUS 100s of other grammar resources

Speech marks are not used if we are writing indirect (reported) speech.

How are speech marks used?

Speech marks or inverted commas are used to show what the words actually spoken by a person or character are. Direct speech is separated from a reporting clause by a comma . For example:

As demonstrated in the example, the words spoken directly ( Although I wish they wouldn't my children fight all the time ) are marked by speech marks. The words spoken have also been separated by a reporting clause ( she sighed ).

When two or more people are having a conversation, a new line for each speaker is used , as this clarifies who is speaking. For example:

How are speech marks taught in the primary classroom?

When speech marks are first introduced in Year 3 , there is a lot of use of drama and reading class texts aloud. Children will identify direct speech within texts they are reading as a class. 

In Year 4 there is more focus on multiple speakers.

In Years 5 and 6, children will be taught and expected to use the correct punctuation for speech, with multiple speakers and reporting clauses breaking up the direct speech.

When are speech marks taught in the primary-school classroom?

Inverted commas are first taught in Lower Key Stage 2, in Year 3. As punctuating direct speech is a fundamental primary-school writing objective , the use of speech marks will be reinforced in every subsequent year group.

In Year 3, teachers will focus more on simply punctuating the spoken words with inverted commas to indicate the specific words that have been spoken. In Year 4, this progresses onto using commas to separate the reported clause from the direct speech, and then using other forms of punctuation other than full stops within the inverted commas. For example:

In Years 3 and 4, children learn that the reporting clause can be positioned before or after the direct speech in the sentence.

During the SATs Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation test taken at the end of Year 6, children are also likely to be asked a question about inverted commas and/or the correct punctuation needed to show speech. For example:

By the end of Year 6, when a child’s writing is assessed, they will be expected to use speech to move the action in their stories forward and to punctuate correctly. 

Give your child a headstart

• FREE articles & expert information
• FREE resources & activities
• FREE homework help

More like this

Quotation Marks

1. what are quotation marks.

Quotations marks (“”) are parts of punctuation that we use to identify quotations, direct speech, and to highlight special words and phrases. We also use them for titles of certain things, and to point out dialogue in works of fiction. Sometimes, they are called “quotations” or “speech marks.” Either way, they are a very important type of punctuation!

This article will discuss the way we use quotation marks in American English—but, it’s important to note that in British English and other languages, quotation marks follow different rules.

2. Examples of Quotations Marks

Quotation marks are very useful. Here are some ways you see them every day:

• “I love cookies,” said Sam .       Identifying speech
• I think “selfies” are the most popular kind of photo .       Highlighting a word
• The music magazine said “air guitar is the next big thing in rock .”       Sharing a quotation
• “The Art of Cookies” is my favorite essay .       Showing a title

3. Ways to Use Quotation Marks

We use quotation marks for all kinds of things in writing and literature, like sharing quotations, adding emphasis, expressing dialogue, and identifying titles.

a. Quotations

One of the most important ways we use quotations is to “quote” someone’s or something’s words. To quote something means to repeat exactly what was said. For example, we use it to show direct speech, meaning exactly what someone said:

• The policeman said “STOP RIGHT THERE!”
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s began his speech by saying“I have a dream.”

This same idea can also show quotations from pieces of literature, television, radio, and so on:

• The newspaper article stated, “Hurricane Silly is the worst that has been seen in years.”
• The most famous line from Shakespeare’s plays is “To be, or not to be: that is the question.”

b. Highlighting a Word or Phrase

Quotations can help us separate a word or phrase from the rest of a sentence, showing that something has an important meaning, like this:

• The fire department issued a “red alert” in the area for the fast-moving forest fire.
• The hotel room had a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

Here, “red alert” is in quotations because it highlights specific, important term. Likewise, “Do Not Disturb” shows that the sign had an important message.

Next, quotation marks can show that the word inside the marks has a special meaning besides its normal definition, like slang. The marks tell the reader that the word is being talked about, not used as part of the sentence. This helps share a new or unusual idea that some people might not understand:

• People try to get as many “likes” as possible when they post a photo on Instagram. Taking pictures of yourself “planking” was once a popular social media trend. These days,“selfies” are all that I see on Instagram.

These quotation marks tell us that “likes” is actually a special term for something you can do on Instagram. Without quotation marks, “likes” wouldn’t make sense here. Likewise, “planking” and “selfies” are words used to show a trend.

What’s more, quotation marks are used to apply a normal idea to something new, like this:

• Burger King now has chicken “fries” on their menu.
• Vegetarians often eat “chicken nuggets” made from tofu.

Here, both sets of quotation marks above highlight an idea that we can picture in our heads. Although fries aren’t made from chicken, putting “fries” in quotations shows us that the chicken looks like french fries, not that there are real french fries. Likewise, “chicken nuggets” show that the food is similar to chicken nuggets, but made from soy.

c. Dialogue

Quotation marks can also show dialogue (speaking) of a person or character. It’s different than showing direct quotations, because dialogue shows a conversation that the reader can witness. So, that makes quotation marks very important for fiction. Here’s an example:

• “Where are you going, Sally?” asked Sam. “I have to go to the market to buy flour for my cookies,” she replied. “Well, make sure you get some milk to eat with those cookies!”

Without quotation marks, it would be very difficult to ever know when a character was speaking!

d. For Titles

Finally, another important way we use quotation marks is to show titles of things. Here’s a list of things that should be inside quotation marks:

• Short works like essays, poems, and short stories
• Short plays
• Other works of literature that are shorter than a full book
• Sections from longer works or books (like chapter titles)
• Newspaper, magazine, and online articles
• Episodes of TV

Furthermore, you should NOT use quotation marks for book titles, movie titles, or any longer work that has smaller sections in it—for these things, we use italics or underlining.

4. How to Use Quotation Marks with other Punctuation

When it comes to punctuation, there are a lot of little rules for quotation marks to follow, and it can get confusing. Here are some rules to help you (for American English!):

Periods and commas go INSIDE quotation marks, even when they aren’t part of a direct quote or title:

• The article said “purple hair is stupid,” and I thought that was very rude.
• My favorite song is “Popcorn Pop,” which is from the album Carnival Time.
• The title of the essay is “How to Make Cotton Candy.”

Colons, semicolons, and long dashes go OUTSIDE quotation marks:

• You can hear two instruments in the song “Popcorn Pop”: drums and guitar.
• My friend always said it wasn’t danger to take “selfies”—until she fell down the stairs!
• I used to love the “Hokey Pokey”; it was a big part of my childhood.

Exclamation marks and question marks can be tricky. If one is part of a direct quote or title, then they go inside the quotation marks, like this:

• Sam asked “can I have a cookie?” before they were even finished.
• “You can’t have any cookies!” yelled Sally.

But, if it’s not part of a direct quote, title, or phrase, then the exclamation mark or question mark goes outside of the quotation marks:

• Is your favorite song “Popcorn Pop”?
• I absolutely love the “Hokey Pokey”!
• Did you just take a “selfie”?

As mentioned earlier, the rules for quotation marks are different in different places. For example, in British English, periods and commas go outside of quotation marks, so don’t be surprised if you see that in a work of British literature, or from a British newspaper.

5. How to Avoid Mistakes

Quotation marks are common, and so are mistakes involving them! For instance, they always come in sets—don’t make the mistake of just using one set and forgetting the other!

Actually, the biggest problems come when you use them with other punctuation marks, as outlined in the last section. But, if you use them to single out words or phrases that don’t need them, you can end up with some pretty silly or confusing sentences!

Using quotation marks to add stress or importance to a word is an all too common mistake. People often think they should use it to add stress to a word or make it stand out, like this:

• Employees “must” wash their hands before returning to work.

As you can see, using quotation marks is not a good way to make “must” stand out! In this way, it makes it seem that has a different meaning other than it’s true meaning. That may make people think that they don’t actually need to wash their hands!

When you need to add stress to a word, the best choice is usually to use bold or CAPITAL letters, or underline the words you mean to emphasize, like this:

• Employees MUST wash their hands before returning to work.

Now the meaning of this note is very clear! Here’s another example:

• “Do Not” enter!       The meaning here is confusing . DO NOT enter!       Clear meaning

Test your Knowledge

a. To show exactly what they/it said

b. To make it clear

c. For emphasis

a. essays, poems and songs

b. people, countries and chapters

c. places, fruits and poems

Related Posts

Punctuation, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published.

You may use these <abbr title="HyperText Markup Language">HTML</abbr> tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Language rules
• When to Use Quotation Marks (“”) | Rules & Examples

When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples

Published on May 21, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield.

Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations.

In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source . This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews . The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.

Whenever you quote someone else’s words, use a signal phrase to introduce it and integrate the source into your own text. Don’t rely on quotations to make your point for you.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Single vs. double quotation marks, quotes within quotes, punctuation following quotations, quotation marks for source titles, indirect quotation, scare quotes, frequently asked questions about quotation marks.

There are two types of quotation marks: ‘single’ and “double.” Which one to choose generally depends on whether you are using US or UK English . The US convention is to use double quotation marks, while the UK convention is usually to use single quotation marks.

Double quotation marks can also be acceptable in UK English, provided you are consistent throughout the text. APA Style requires double quotations.

Don't submit your assignments before you do this

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students. Free citation check included.

Try for free

When your quotations are nested (i.e., a quote appears inside another quote), you should use the opposite style of quotation marks for the nested quotation.

US and UK English also differ on where to place punctuation within quotation marks.

• In US English,  commas and periods that follow a quote are placed within the quotation marks.
• In UK English, all punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, except when they are part of the original quotation.

In all variants of English, a question mark appears inside the quotation marks when the person quoted was asking a question, but outside when it’s you asking the question.

• Smith asks, “How long can this situation continue?”
• How many participants reported their satisfaction as “high”?

Note that when you include a parenthetical citation after a quote, the punctuation mark always comes after the citation (except with block quotes ).

• Solis described the situation as “precarious” (2022, p. 16).

Some source titles (e.g., the title of a journal article) should be presented in quotation marks in your text. Others are italicized instead (or occasionally written in plain text).

The rules for how to format different source titles are largely the same across citation styles, though some details differ. The key principles apply in all the main styles:

• Use italics for sources that stand alone
• Use quotation marks for sources that are part of another source

Some examples are shown below, with the proper formatting:

• The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory [book]
• “Poststructuralism” [book chapter]
• Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology [journal]
• “What Is Personality Disorder?” [journal article]
• Friends [TV series]
• “The One Where Rachel Quits” [TV episode]

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said without using exactly the same words they did.

It’s a lot like paraphrasing , except that you’re only changing the words you need to in order to fit the statement into your new sentence grammatically. For example, changing the pronouns or the verb tense .

Indirect quotation is more common in everyday speech, but it can occur in academic writing too. When it does, keep in mind that you should only use quotation marks around words taken directly from the original speaker or author.

• One participant stated that “he found the exercises frustrating.”
• One participant stated that he found the exercises frustrating.
• One participant described the exercises as “frustrating.”

“Scare quotes” are quotation marks used around words that are not a direct quotation from a specific source. They are used to signal that a term is being used in an unusual or ironic way, that it is borrowed from someone else, or that the writer is skeptical about the term.

• Many politicians have blamed recent electoral trends on the rise of “fake news.”

While scare quotes have their uses in academic writing (e.g., when referring to controversial terms), they should only be used with good reason. Inappropriate use of scare quotes creates ambiguity.

• The institution organized a fundraiser in support of “underprivileged children.”
• Scientists argue that “global warming” is accelerating due to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The “Brexit” negotiations are still ongoing.

In these examples, the words within scare quotes are widely accepted terms with clear meanings that can’t be attributed to a specific person or source. Using quotation marks implies skepticism about the concepts in question.

The use of single and double quotation marks when quoting differs between US and UK English . In US English, you must use double quotation marks. Single quotation marks are used for quotes within quotes.

In UK English, it’s most common to use single quotation marks, with double quotation marks for quotes within quotes, although the other way around is acceptable too.

A quote is an exact copy of someone else’s words, usually enclosed in quotation marks and credited to the original author or speaker.

If you’re quoting from a text that paraphrases or summarizes other sources and cites them in parentheses , APA and Chicago both recommend retaining the citations as part of the quote. However, MLA recommends omitting citations within a quote:

• APA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic (Jones, 2015; Sill, 2019; Paulson, 2020) shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).
• MLA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).

Footnote or endnote numbers that appear within quoted text should be omitted in all styles.

If you want to cite an indirect source (one you’ve only seen quoted in another source), either locate the original source or use the phrase “as cited in” in your citation.

Quotes within quotes are punctuated differently to distinguish them from the surrounding quote .

• If you use double quotation marks for quotes, use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
• If you use single quotation marks for quotes (e.g., in UK English ), use double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

Make sure to close both sets of quotes!

Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said (or wrote) but not using their exact words. It’s similar to paraphrasing , but it only involves changing enough words to fit the statement into your sentence grammatically (e.g., changing the tense or the pronouns ).

Since some of the words have changed, indirect quotations are not enclosed in quotation marks .

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

McCombes, S. (2022, November 29). When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 13, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/quotation-marks/

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to quote | citing quotes in apa, mla & chicago, how to block quote | length, format and examples, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts