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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Comma usage for a quote within a quote
If you begin a piece of dialogue by quoting someone else, do you need to follow with a comma?
EX.
"I'm going to the mall," she said.
" 'Going to the mall' when? After your chores, I hope."
Would you need a comma between "mall" and "when"?
EX.
"I'm going to the mall," she said.
" 'Going to the mall' when? After your chores, I hope."
Would you need a comma between "mall" and "when"?
Top answer
No (only if the flow of the sentence without the inner quotes would require it, which is not the case here). In fact, the inner quotes are not mandatory "Going to the mall when? " would be OK too.
- No (only if the flow of the sentence without the inner quotes would require it, which is not the case here).
- In fact, the inner quotes are not mandatory "Going to the mall when?
- " would be OK too.
- By including the inner quotes, you emphasise or draw attention to the fact that the words are being echoed.
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1 Answers
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No (only if the flow of the sentence without the inner quotes would require it, which is not the case here).
In fact, the inner quotes are not mandatory "Going to the mall when? After your chores, I hope." would be OK too. By including the inner quotes, you emphasise or draw attention to the fact that the words are being echoed.
In fact, the inner quotes are not mandatory "Going to the mall when? After your chores, I hope." would be OK too. By including the inner quotes, you emphasise or draw attention to the fact that the words are being echoed.
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