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GramerFreek Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Commas outside quotes? What?
I know that in American English, commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks (except for single letters). I also know the rules are a bit different in British English, although I'm not sure what they are. However, I just finished a book (The Great Typo Hunt, which is probably now my favorite book of all time), and something really bothered me: When the author was writing an actual quote, he put the punctuation inside the quotation marks; however, when it wasn't an actual quote, he put the punctuation OUTSIDE of the quotation marks (for example: The sign said "NO TRESPASSING".) Is there some sort of rule I've never heard of where one is supposed to do that? I'm quite befuddled.
Top answer
Hi GF. I've noticed that some of our senior members use the British style and place them outside the quotes. I read the rule you refer to and use the so-called American system, but there are a few situations in which I bend it.
- Hi GF.
- I've noticed that some of our senior members use the British style and place them outside the quotes.
- I read the rule you refer to and use the so-called American system, but there are a few situations in which I bend it.
- I recall that the rule was quite clear that there are no exceptions --- at least, the source I read put it that way.
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6 Answers
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Hi GF.
I've noticed that some of our senior members use the British style and place them outside the quotes. I read the rule you refer to and use the so-called American system, but there are a few situations in which I bend it.
I recall that the rule was quite clear that there are no exceptions --- at least, the source I read put it that way.
I've noticed that some of our senior members use the British style and place them outside the quotes. I read the rule you refer to and use the so-called American system, but there are a few situations in which I bend it.
I recall that the rule was quite clear that there are no exceptions --- at least, the source I read put it that way.
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Ah, I forgot to include the integral part that confused me: The book was written and published in America. I would understand completely if it was in Britain, but not here.
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A brief survey of the Mod Squad suggests that among the native speaking Americans, only CJ chooses the British style.
Clive uses the British style, but he posts from Canada. MrM posts from Japan, but I believe he grew up in the States.
I haven't found enough quotes to determine everyone's style.
Clive uses the British style, but he posts from Canada. MrM posts from Japan, but I believe he grew up in the States.
I haven't found enough quotes to determine everyone's style.
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"I post from Prague", wrote fivejedjon, "but I am a native speaker of British English". He thought for a moment, and then added, "I use my own variation of the British system. Nobody seems to mind, as we Brits seem to worry less about the finer points of punctuation than our friends across the pond".
"You may claim, 'Nobody seems to
"You may claim, 'Nobody seems to
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Hi, Jed,
I skimmed some of your posts and found one innie and one outie. I decided not to categorize you. I trust you'll forgive me.
I skimmed some of your posts and found one innie and one outie. I decided not to categorize you. I trust you'll forgive me.
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GramerFreekThe sign said "NO TRESPASSING".Maybe he is just trying to show that the wording on the sign did not have a period, so he put the period outside the quotations.
There are many different rules to punctuation and quotation marks, but I've also noticed that it's a matter of personal preference sometimes.
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