Punctuating speech

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pjrydo  #504196  Wed, 23 Apr 08 09:44 AM

 

How should on punctuate around speech marks, apostrophes and parentheses? Should the punctuation come inside or outside of the quotation?

"Should it come inside or outside?"?

  
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Mister Micawber  #504317  Wed, 23 Apr 08 02:05 PM
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Generally, put it inside if it relates to the quote and outside if it relates to the matrix sentence.
  
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pjrydo  #504381  Wed, 23 Apr 08 03:49 PM
Matrix sentence?! Embarrassed

But what about if you are quoting someone as the end of a sentence? What should be the final punctuation?

...he said, "it may be correct, but it looks very crowded!". 

 

  
Yoong Liat  #504438  Wed, 23 Apr 08 06:18 PM

pjrydo
Matrix sentence?! Embarrassed

 

But what about if you are quoting someone as the end of a sentence? What should be the final punctuation?

...he said, "it may be correct, but it looks very crowded!". (The full stop should not be inserted.)

 

... he said, "It may be correct, but it looks very crowded!"
  
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Grammar Geek  #504449  Wed, 23 Apr 08 07:08 PM

"He had the nerve to say that?" She was shouting now. "He had the gall to say 'We can still be friends'? What a jerk!"

I am furious that you used the word "friends"!

 

  
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