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Dogstar Posted 21 years ago
Jokes, Puzzles & Riddles
unquote
I hate to be a stickler, but I'm wondering if it is proper to say "unquote" when speaking, or "end quote". It seems impossible to unquote someone. Is this an example of improper English that has worked its way into the language, and if so, Ain't that wrong?
Top answer
Dogstar: I'm not sure if it's proper, but I do say "quote" and "unquote" if I am reading out loud something that is quoted (like what someone said in a newspaper report or a referenced work). I want the person who is listening to me to know that the material was quoted. I'm not sure whether it's an example of improper English, but language changes all the time.
- Dogstar: I'm not sure if it's proper, but I do say "quote" and "unquote" if I am reading out loud something that is quoted (like what someone said in a newspaper report or a referenced work).
- I want the person who is listening to me to know that the material was quoted.
- I'm not sure whether it's an example of improper English, but language changes all the time.
- What might seem unproper or ungrammatical to us, over time becomes commonplace.
- You've given a great example in your post -- just look what happened to the word "isn't it"?
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3 Answers
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Dogstar:
I'm not sure if it's proper, but I do say "quote" and "unquote" if I am reading out loud something that is quoted (like what someone said in a newspaper report or a referenced work). I want the person who is listening to me to know that the material was quoted.
I'm not sure whether it's an example of improper English, but language changes all the time. What might seem un
I'm not sure if it's proper, but I do say "quote" and "unquote" if I am reading out loud something that is quoted (like what someone said in a newspaper report or a referenced work). I want the person who is listening to me to know that the material was quoted.
I'm not sure whether it's an example of improper English, but language changes all the time. What might seem un
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i think you say unquote to let the listener know to not quote what comes after
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Right, Anonymous. You say quote and unquote only when speaking. You say quote at the beginning of quoted material and unquote after the quoted material. This is said to show the listener that the information was in fact taken from somewhere else or was someone else's idea.
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