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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

A quote, within a quote, within a quote?

within a selection from a novel I am referencing for a paper, a character in conversation is quoting a book that he once read.

"Zooey said 'the Four Great Vows are "However innumerable beings are ... I vow to attain it."' His eyes stayed closed."

how do I quote his recitation of the four great vows (which I made bold)? the series of quotations is pretty complicated.

thanks!
  

Top answer

I would be tempted to leave a space between the two marks after attain it , but you have used the correct method. The other alternative is to make yours an inset block quotation, thus: Zooey said " the Four Great Vows are ' However innumerable beings are ... I vow to attain it.

— Mister Micawber

  • I would be tempted to leave a space between the two marks after attain it , but you have used the correct method.
  • The other alternative is to make yours an inset block quotation, thus: Zooey said " the Four Great Vows are ' However innumerable beings are ...
  • I vow to attain it.
  • ' " His eyes stayed closed.
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1 Answers
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I would be tempted to leave a space between the two marks after attain it, but you have used the correct method. The other alternative is to make yours an inset block quotation, thus:

Zooey said "the Four Great Vows are 'However innumerable

beings are ... I vow to attain it.' " His eyes stayed closed.
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