10.3 Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, and Hyphens
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens are key players in . They help us quote speech, show possession, form , and create compound words. Mastering these marks is crucial for clear writing.
Each punctuation mark has its own rules and quirks. Quotation marks enclose speech, apostrophes show ownership, and hyphens join words. Knowing when and how to use them can make your writing more precise and professional.
Quotation Marks
Usage of Double and Single Quotation Marks
Top images from around the web for Usage of Double and Single Quotation Marks
File:Quotation Marks.svg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
D.3: Proofreading for Punctuation – Advanced Professional Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
Introduction to Punctuation | Guide to Writing View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Quotation Marks.svg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
D.3: Proofreading for Punctuation – Advanced Professional Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Usage of Double and Single Quotation Marks
File:Quotation Marks.svg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
D.3: Proofreading for Punctuation – Advanced Professional Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
Introduction to Punctuation | Guide to Writing View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Quotation Marks.svg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
D.3: Proofreading for Punctuation – Advanced Professional Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Double quotation marks enclose direct speech, quoted material, and certain titles
- Use double quotation marks for short works like articles, essays, songs, and poems
- Single quotation marks typically appear within double quotation marks
- British English often reverses this convention, using single quotes as the primary and double quotes for nested quotations
- Quotations within quotations alternate between double and single marks
- First level uses double quotes
- Second level uses single quotes
- Third level reverts to double quotes
Punctuation with Quotation Marks
- Commas and periods always go inside closing quotation marks in American English
- Question marks and exclamation points go inside if they're part of the quoted material, outside if not
- Colons and semicolons always go outside closing quotation marks
- Dialogue punctuation follows specific rules
- Each speaker's words start with a new paragraph
- Use a comma to separate the quote from dialogue tags (he said, she replied)
- Use a period if the dialogue tag comes before the quote
Titles and Special Uses
- Use quotation marks for titles of shorter works (articles, short stories, songs)
- Longer works like books, movies, and albums typically use italics instead
- Quotation marks can indicate irony, sarcasm, or unusual usage (so-called "experts")
- Avoid overusing quotation marks for emphasis, as this can appear unprofessional
Apostrophes
Possessive Apostrophes
- Add 's to singular nouns to show possession (the dog's bone)
- For plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe (the dogs' bones)
- Irregular plurals not ending in s still add 's (children's toys)
- Personal pronouns have special possessive forms without apostrophes (his, hers, its, theirs)
- Use apostrophe s for indefinite pronouns (somebody's mistake)
- Joint possession uses apostrophe only on the last noun (Tom and Jerry's house)
- Separate possession requires apostrophes for each noun (Tom's and Jerry's cars)
Contractions and Omissions
- Apostrophes replace omitted letters in contractions (don't, it's, you're)
- They can also indicate omitted numbers in years (the '90s)
- Use apostrophes for plural letters, numbers, and symbols to avoid confusion (mind your p's and q's)
- Contractions are generally avoided in formal writing
- Common contractions include negative forms (isn't, won't) and verb forms with pronouns (I've, they'd)
- Be careful not to confuse contractions with similar-looking words (it's vs. its, you're vs. your)
Hyphens
Compound Words and Phrases
- Hyphens join words to form before nouns (well-known author)
- They're often unnecessary when the compound follows the noun (the author is well known)
- Use hyphens with compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine
- Hyphens clarify meaning in potentially ambiguous phrases (small-business owner vs. small business owner)
- Prefixes like self-, ex-, and all- often require hyphens (self-aware, ex-president)
- Some compounds become closed over time, losing their hyphens (email, online)
Special Uses of Hyphens
- Hyphens separate syllables when breaking words at line ends
- They're used in spelled-out fractions (two-thirds)
- Hyphens appear in compound last names (Sarah Jessica Parker-Broderick)
- Use them with hanging prefixes and suffixes (pre- and post-war)
- Hyphens join letters to words (T-shirt, X-ray)
- They create number spans in informal writing (pages 18-24)
- Hyphens avoid awkward letter combinations (co-owner, de-emphasize)
Key Terms to Review (16)
Ambiguity: Ambiguity refers to the presence of two or more possible meanings within a word, phrase, sentence, or text. It can create confusion and misinterpretation, as the reader or listener may not be able to clearly understand the intended message due to the multiple interpretations that arise from vague or unclear language.
Apa style: APA style is a set of guidelines for writing and formatting research papers, developed by the American Psychological Association. It emphasizes clarity, precision, and consistency in scholarly writing and includes specific rules for citations, references, headings, and overall layout. By following APA style, writers ensure their work is organized and easily understood, promoting effective communication of ideas and findings.
Clarity: Clarity in writing refers to the quality of being easily understood, ensuring that the intended message is communicated without confusion or ambiguity. This concept is essential for effective communication, as it helps readers grasp the meaning quickly, leading to better comprehension and engagement with the text.
Comma Splice: A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by just a comma without a coordinating conjunction. This error can disrupt the flow and clarity of writing, making it essential to understand proper punctuation to avoid it.
Compound adjectives: Compound adjectives are formed when two or more words are combined to create a single descriptive term, often hyphenated, to modify a noun. These adjectives provide more specificity and detail, enhancing the meaning of the noun they describe, which connects to the broader understanding of how adjectives function in language.
Contractions: Contractions are shortened forms of words or combinations of words that are created by omitting certain letters and replacing them with an apostrophe. They are often used in everyday speech and informal writing, helping to create a more conversational tone. Understanding contractions can help clarify the differences between formal and informal language, as well as improve punctuation skills, particularly with apostrophes.
Copyediting: Copyediting is the process of reviewing and correcting written material to improve clarity, readability, and accuracy while ensuring adherence to style guides and grammatical rules. This involves checking for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting, as well as verifying facts and making suggestions for rephrasing or restructuring sentences. It plays a crucial role in refining texts, particularly where quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens are involved.
Direct quotations: Direct quotations are the exact words spoken or written by someone, enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that they are not the writer's original thoughts but rather a verbatim account of another person's statement. This form of quoting helps to preserve the speaker's original wording and emphasizes the importance of their message. It is crucial in writing to maintain clarity and credibility when referencing sources or illustrating points.
Grammar rules: Grammar rules are the set of guidelines that govern how words and phrases are structured and used in a language. These rules help ensure clarity and coherence in communication, enabling speakers and writers to convey their intended meanings effectively. They can be categorized into prescriptive rules, which dictate how language should be used, and descriptive rules, which observe how language is actually used in practice.
Misplaced apostrophe: A misplaced apostrophe occurs when an apostrophe is incorrectly placed in a word, causing confusion about possession or contraction. This mistake can mislead readers, as it alters the intended meaning of a sentence, particularly in cases of plural nouns or possessive forms. Understanding how to use apostrophes correctly is essential for clarity in writing, and it connects directly to punctuation usage and grammatical accuracy.
Mla style: MLA style is a writing and formatting style guide created by the Modern Language Association, primarily used in the humanities, especially in English and literature. It provides a consistent format for writing papers and citing sources, making it easier for readers to understand the writer's sources and ideas. By following MLA guidelines, writers can ensure clarity and credibility in their work, which also involves the proper use of punctuation and quotation marks.
Possessive apostrophe: A possessive apostrophe is a punctuation mark used to indicate ownership or possession, typically placed before the letter 's' for singular nouns and after the 's' for plural nouns that are possessive. This grammatical tool helps clarify relationships between nouns, making sentences easier to understand. It is crucial for distinguishing between possessive forms and contractions, as well as ensuring proper noun modifications.
Proofreading: Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing written text to identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. This essential step ensures that the final document communicates its message clearly and professionally, making it a vital part of effective communication. By focusing on details such as the correct use of quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens, proofreading contributes to the overall accuracy and clarity of written work.
Punctuation: Punctuation refers to the use of symbols in writing that helps clarify meaning, indicate pauses, and separate ideas within sentences. It plays a vital role in effective communication by guiding readers through the text and ensuring the intended message is conveyed clearly. Proper punctuation helps avoid ambiguity, enhances readability, and maintains the flow of writing.
Titles of short works: Titles of short works refer to the names of brief literary pieces, such as articles, essays, short stories, poems, and songs. These titles are typically formatted using quotation marks to distinguish them from longer works like books and movies, which are italicized. This distinction is important in writing as it helps to clarify which type of work is being referenced and maintains proper citation practices.
Word breaks: Word breaks refer to the division of words at the end of a line or between syllables, allowing text to flow more smoothly. Proper word breaks can enhance readability, particularly in written language, where punctuation and other grammatical elements play a critical role in how information is presented. Understanding how to effectively use word breaks connects to the correct placement of quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens, which can dictate how words are perceived within sentences.