Qoutation Marks with commas

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Cute572

#506425 Mon, 28 Apr 08 11:08 AM

Hello There , I recently join this form. I have very weak english please help me out

My first question is about Quotation marks and comma inbetween them.

Would u please correct me on the following sentences ?

1- Her short story, "The Last Day of Spring", won first prize.

2- "Some laws," he intoned, "are made to be broken."

3- "Put those books on the shelves, she said, Or we'll never be able to locate them again."

4- The title of the first chapter in the new science book is "Introduction to the Planet Earth".

Cute572

Joined on Mon, Apr 28 2008

Full Member (211)

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Commas, Quotation marks

Mister Micawber

#506477 Mon, 28 Apr 08 12:57 PM

.
In American usage, a final comma or period always precedes a closing quotation mark, so your sentences would look like these:

1- Her short story, "The Last Day of Spring," won first prize.

2- "Some laws," he intoned, "are made to be broken." -- OK

3- "Put those books on the shelves," she said, "or we'll never be able to locate them again."

4- The title of the first chapter in the new science book is "Introduction to the Planet Earth."

I must admit, though, that I do not adhere to the rule, and would put the commas and periods outside if they did not apply to the material within the quotes.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (21,223)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Commas, Quotation marks

Cute572

#506531 Mon, 28 Apr 08 01:57 PM

Thanks Mister Micawber!

Tell me why we would place comma inside in 1st sentence?

Cute572

Commas

Grammar Geek

#506571 Mon, 28 Apr 08 02:51 PM

Because as he said, in American style guides, even though it is not always logical, the comma and period ALWAYS go inside the quotes. Always.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,583)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Commas