tinanam0102  +  831211 Thu, 23 Jul 09 05:50 PM Hi teachers,   I keep seeing people holding up and moving their index finger and middle finger on both hands up and down when they are talking.  I even saw my lecturer do once very quick but I can't understand what they mean.   Would you tell me and please help correct my above sentence?   Thank you. Tinanam tinanam0102 Sentences, Speaking, Chat, Friendships

	Best answer by Grammar Geek  +  831229 Thu, 23 Jul 09 06:19 PM Tinanam, you are referring to the famous "air quotes" or "finger quotes."   When you are writing, sometimes you use quote marks to show that you're using a word in a new, unexpected, or ironic manner.  When some people are speaking, they use those little finger quotes the same way.   For example, we recently got a new car - new for us, but used - it is a 2006 model. So if I were talking to someone, I may say something like "We're taking the 'new' car on our trip" and if I were one of those finger-quote people, I may make that little motion while saying the word "new."     Grammar Geek

	dokterjokkebrok  +  831219 Thu, 23 Jul 09 05:59 PM Do you mean inverted commas?? dokterjokkebrok Joined on Sun, Jun 21 2009 The Netherlands Full Member 231 "Experience is the name we all give to our mistakes." Oscar Wilde Commas, Punctuation

	tinanam0102  +  831225 Thu, 23 Jul 09 06:10 PM Dear dotkerjokkebrok,   They are holding two fingers up on each side, which looks like a V-shape, moving up and down.  It looks like they are making an impression of rabbit.   What is "inverted commas"?  Thanks.   Regards, Tinanam tinanam0102 Regards

	CalifJim  +  831226 Thu, 23 Jul 09 06:16 PM tinanam0102 “What is "inverted commas"?” The marks that are around your words inverted commas quoted above.  Also called quotation marks.  The sign is to indicate that the word or expression being uttered should be taken as if between quotation marks.  The sign looks like this  "  ", don't you think? CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,424 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Commas, Punctuation, Quotation Marks, Expressions

	dokterjokkebrok  +  831230 Thu, 23 Jul 09 06:21 PM tinanam0102 “Dear dotkerjokkebrok, They are holding two fingers up on each side, which looks like a V-shape, moving up and down.  It looks like they are making an impression of rabbit. What is "inverted commas"?  Thanks. Regards, Tinanam ” Does it look like this? dokterjokkebrok Regards

	tinanam0102  +  831235 Thu, 23 Jul 09 06:41 PM Dear Dokterjokkebrok, CaliJim and Grammar Geek,   Thank you for your help with the examples and picture.   Regards, Tinanam tinanam0102 Regards