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Latest post Thu, Oct 12 2006 4:14 AM by Grammar Geek. 1 replies.
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Believer  +  279321 Wed, 11 Oct 06 11:38 PM

I think GG said in a post that American style guides put commas and periods inside the quotation marks, always. OK. Does that mean they are to be followed regardless how short or long the ones in quotation are?

eg,

... such as 'a,' 'an,' or 'the.'

How about if I use double apostrophes, is the American style guide permit that?

... such as "a," "an," or "the."

Please note (I presume you already have noticed it) these are very short words.    

Joined on Mon, Jan 2 2006
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Grammar Geek  +  279374 Thu, 12 Oct 06 04:14 AM

It would be as you show in your second example. Awful, isn't it? Some style guides (I believe) do permit single quotes, but most use only double quotes.  If you have the typographical abilty to do it, you could use italics instead - such as a, an, or the.

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006
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Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!
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