As “Which of the following demonstrates correct punctuation of a quotation?” takes center stage, this opening passage beckons readers into a world crafted with authoritative knowledge, ensuring a reading experience that is both absorbing and distinctly original.
This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of quotation punctuation, providing clear and concise explanations of the rules governing the placement of quotation marks, commas, periods, and other punctuation marks in relation to quoted material.
Punctuation of Quotations
Quotations are used to incorporate the exact words of another person or source into your own writing. Proper punctuation is essential for accurately conveying the quoted material and avoiding confusion.
Punctuation of Quotations within Sentences
When a quotation is used within a sentence, it is typically enclosed in quotation marks. The punctuation inside the quotation marks follows the same rules as if the quotation were a standalone sentence.
| Quotation | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” | Period inside quotation marks | He said, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” |
| “What a beautiful day!” | Exclamation point inside quotation marks | She exclaimed, “What a beautiful day!” |
| “Do you know where the library is?” | Question mark inside quotation marks | I asked, “Do you know where the library is?” |
Punctuation of Quotations at the End of Sentences
When a quotation is used at the end of a sentence, the period is placed outside the quotation marks, even if the quotation itself ends with a question mark or exclamation point.
| Quotation | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” | Period outside quotation marks | He said, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” |
| “What a beautiful day!” | Period outside quotation marks | She exclaimed, “What a beautiful day!” |
| “Do you know where the library is?” | Period outside quotation marks | I asked, “Do you know where the library is?” |
Punctuation of Quotations within Quotations
When a quotation is used within another quotation, single quotation marks are used for the inner quotation.
| Quotation | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “He said, ‘I’m going to the store.'” | Single quotation marks for inner quotation | She said, “He said, ‘I’m going to the store.'” |
| “She asked, ‘Do you want to come?'” | Single quotation marks for inner quotation | He replied, “She asked, ‘Do you want to come?'” |
| “I told him, ‘Don’t be late.'” | Single quotation marks for inner quotation | She said, “I told him, ‘Don’t be late.'” |
Punctuation of Ellipses within Quotations, Which of the following demonstrates correct punctuation of a quotation
Ellipses (…) are used to indicate that some material has been omitted from a quotation. When an ellipsis is used within a quotation, it is placed inside the quotation marks.
| Quotation | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The quick…brown fox…” | Ellipsis inside quotation marks | He said, “The quick…brown fox…” |
| “…jumps over the lazy dog.” | Ellipsis inside quotation marks | She exclaimed, “…jumps over the lazy dog.” |
| “Do you know…where the library is?” | Ellipsis inside quotation marks | I asked, “Do you know…where the library is?” |
Punctuation of Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation
When a quotation is used with other punctuation, the general rule is that the quotation marks go inside the other punctuation.
| Quotation | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The quick brown fox,” he said, “jumps over the lazy dog.” | Comma inside quotation marks | He said, “The quick brown fox,” he said, “jumps over the lazy dog.” |
| “What a beautiful day!” she exclaimed. | Exclamation point inside quotation marks | She exclaimed, “What a beautiful day!” |
| “Do you know where the library is?” she asked. | Question mark inside quotation marks | She asked, “Do you know where the library is?” |
Query Resolution: Which Of The Following Demonstrates Correct Punctuation Of A Quotation
What is the correct punctuation for a quotation within a sentence?
When a quotation is incorporated into a sentence, it is typically enclosed in quotation marks, with commas or periods placed inside the quotation marks.
How should a quotation be punctuated when it appears at the end of a sentence?
If a quotation concludes a sentence, the period is placed inside the quotation marks, followed by any other necessary punctuation, such as a comma or exclamation point.
What is the rule for punctuating ellipses within a quotation?
When ellipses are used to indicate omitted text within a quotation, they are placed inside the quotation marks, with a space separating them from the surrounding text.
