What is the difference between single and double quotation marks?

General Usage Rules

In America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the general rule is that double quotes are used to denote direct speech. Single quotes are used to enclose a quote within a quote, a quote within a headline, or a title within a quote.

What are single quotation marks used for?

Single quotation marks are also known as 'quote marks', 'quotes', 'speech marks' or 'inverted commas'. Use them to: show direct speech and the quoted work of other writers. enclose the title of certain works.

Why use single quotes instead of double quotes?

Use Single Quotation Marks to Highlight Words Not Being Used for Their Meaning. Finally, it's the convention in certain disciplines such as philosophy, theology, and linguistics to highlight words with special meaning by using single quotation marks instead of double quotation marks.

What is the difference between single and double quotation marks UK?

'” British style uses single quotes (') for initial quotations, then double quotes (“) for quotations within the initial quotation. 'Economic systems', according to Professor White, 'are an inevitable byproduct of civilization, and are, as John Doe said, “with us whether we want them or not”'.

What is the purpose of a double quotation mark?

The same rule applies to titles and words used in a special sense or for emphasis. Use double quotation marks (“”) around a direct quote. A direct quote is a word- for-word report of what someone else said or wrote. You use the exact words and punctuation of the original.

Single or Double Quotation Marks?

Can I use single quotation marks to emphasize a word?

Quotation marks around single words can occasionally be used for emphasis, but only when quoting a word or term someone else used. Usually, this implies that the author doesn't agree with the use of the term. He said he was “working”; it looked to me like he was procrastinating.

How do you write single quotation marks?

On the keyboard

You can make single quotation marks on most computers by pressing the apostrophe/quotation mark key to the left of ENTER. Double quotation marks are made on most computers by holding SHIFT and pressing the apostrophe/quotation mark key to the left of ENTER.

Why do British use single quotation marks?

In British usage, single quotation marks are used to mark direct speech (with speech within speech marked with double quotation marks).

What is the difference between single and double inverted commas?

Single inverted commas are used for quotes and double inverted commas are used to highlight/emphasis a point of view in a writing or a speech.

What are the different types of quotation marks?

The use of quotation marks, also called inverted commas, is very slightly complicated by the fact that there are two types: single quotes (` ') and double quotes (" ").

What is a single quotation mark called?

Quotation marks are also called inverted commas, speech marks, or quotes. Quotation marks can be used in two styles; single (' ' or ') or double (“ ” or "), and can also appear in two different typefaces; either as so called dumb or straight quotes (' or ") or as smart quotes (' ' or “ ”).

Do you use double quotation marks for emphasis?

Double quotation marks are commonly used for emphasis or to highlight any words or phrases of text. Some people were taught to use single quotation marks for this case, but most publishers and style guides agree that single quotation marks aren't a great choice.

Is apostrophe and single quote same?

They are two entirely different punctuation symbols. Single quotes are limited to one real function in written U.S. English, which is to indicate a quotation within a quotation. Apostrophes, on the other hand, are used to denote possessive form and to indicate omission.

How do you use quotation marks correctly?

We use quotation marks with direct quotes, with titles of certain works, to imply alternate meanings, and to write words as words. Block quotations are not set off with quotation marks. The quoted text is capitalized if you're quoting a complete sentence and not capitalized if you're quoting a fragment.

Where do single quotation marks go?

Single quotation marks are used for a quote within a quote. ("I knew I wanted to come to WMU when President Dunn said, 'We're committed to your success. '") Although they are usually unnecessary, single quotation marks also can be used in headlines that contain a quote or composition title.

When should you use single quotation marks in Business writing?

Use single quotation marks for quoted material, titles of works, or special terms that appear within a quotation. Examples: She wrote, "I just read Maya Angelou's 'On the Pulse of Morning,' and I loved it." (title of a poem) The blog visitor commented, "The term 'inverted commas' makes no sense." (special term)

What is the difference between quotation marks and inverted commas?

Inverted commas are punctuation marks used to show where speech or a quotation begins and ends. In American English, inverted commas are called quotation marks.

Where do we use single and double inverted commas?

' In American English, the rule is to use double quotation marks: "What time will he arrive?" she asked. In British English, quotation marks are called inverted commas, and the single ones are used more frequently than the double for direct speech.

What is the difference between quotation marks and speech marks?

Quotation marks—sometimes called 'speech marks', or more colloquially 'quotes'—are used to indicate direct speech.

How do you write double quotation marks?

Quick Guide for typing the Double quotation mark symbol (“)

To make a double quotation mark symbol anywhere on your PC or laptop keyboard (like in Microsoft Word or Excel), simply press down the alt key and type 34 using the numeric keypad on the left side of your keyboard.

What is the difference between straight quotes and curly quotes?

Curly quotes are often referred to as smart quotes. That's because they curve toward the text you're quoting. This is done automatically in most word processors. Straight quotes are what they sound like — straight, vertical marks without any indication of which word or phrase it's surrounding.

Is it OK to use single quotation marks?

Single quotation marks are used to indicate quotations inside of other quotations. “Jessie said, 'Goodbye,'” Ben said. This is Ben talking, so his words go in quotation marks. But because we're quoting Ben quoting someone else, Jessie, we use single quotation marks to indicate the quote within the quote.

What does a single quote mean?

Noun. single quote (plural single quotes) A quotation mark, as in She said, 'Go ahead'. An apostrophe, as in Let's do it.

What's the difference between quotation marks and apostrophes?

But I bet you're curious about how they're different, why else would you be here? The main difference between the two is: Quotation marks are used to report speech. An apostrophe is used for making contractions and possession.

How do you close a single quote?

There are four curly quote characters: the opening single quote ( ' ), the closing single quote ( ' ), the opening double quote ( “ ), and the closing double quote ( ” ).