Quotation marks
Quotation marks are the paired symbols (" " or ' ') that wrap a direct quote, a short-work title or a word being discussed as a word.
Also known as:
Quote marks, inverted commas, speech marks
What are quotation marks?
Quotation marks are the paired punctuation symbols that enclose a direct quote, a short-work title or a word or phrase being cited as a word. English has two main styles: double quotation marks (" "), which American publishing treats as the default, and single quotation marks (' '), which British publishing uses more often. The core job is the same either way, to let a reader see clearly where one voice ends and another begins.
Why do quotation marks matter?
Quotation marks matter because they tell a reader what comes from someone else and what is your own wording. Swap in the wrong style and the page can look sloppy or foreign, especially in long-form or editorial copy where the eye notices punctuation more. Picking one style and enforcing it across product, marketing and support surfaces keeps a brand feeling polished at a glance.
How do you use quotation marks?
Pick one default for your brand, usually double quotation marks in American English or single quotation marks in British English, and apply it consistently across all copy.
Use the opposite style for a quote nested inside another quote, such as "She said, 'Stop now,' and turned away."
Wrap short-work titles inside quotation marks, including article headlines and song names, while italicizing longer works such as books, journals and albums.
