Search results for 'tag:English grammar tag:Quotation marks' matching tags 'English grammar' and 'Quotation marks'

Re: Punctuation within quotes?

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:14:23 GMT

Thank you. I understand what you have given as guidance for punctuation within quotes. However, could yould you clarify the following:

If a single "slang" word is put in quotes and comes as the last word in the sentance, e.g. .... the universe is made of strange "stuff". Then doesn't the period go outside the quotation mark and not inside. It looks so strange if you put it inside.

I am very interested in getting this right, since I am an English writer, and used to English grammar, but I am preparing a manuscript for an American publisher, therefore am quite prepared to defer to the American rules! I have referred to the Chicago Manual of Style, but have not so far found the answer to this particular query.
Thanks.
Jodi.

Re: Punctuation within quotes?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:56:01 GMT

The preceeding shows ignorance and irritating arrogance on the part of the poster.

In proper English grammar, the ending punctuation is placed within the quotation marks only if it forms part of the actual quotation. The grammatically incorrect American practice of always including the closing punctuation is simply a pragmatic by-product of early typesetting requirements. A small symbol, such as a full stop, was easily damaged when printing, if placed at the end of a line of type.

NB. Even in the USA, technical publications revert to the less ambiguous English form when precision is required, thus acknowledging the flawed nature of their standard practice.