Single Quotation Marks: Uses and Examples
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Single Quotation Marks: Uses and Examples
Punctuation allows us to express ourselves to readers in clear and structured ways. It is the system by which we organize, pace, and contain written language so it does not become a chaotic crowd of loose and random thoughts.
Within punctuation, the single quotation mark has particular functions. It is also a mark that can attract more questions of usage than other punctuation might.
Let’s review how and when to use single quotation marks in your writing.
(Note our guidance is informed by the two style guides to which we most often refer, The Associated Press Stylebook and The Chicago Manual of Style. AP style favors daily journalism and communication such as newspapers and magazines; CMOS style commonly applies to more-formal publications such as books and official reports.)
Single Quotation Mark Examples: Quotes Within Quotes
When we have a quote inside of a quote, we distinguish the inner quote with single quotation marks and the outer quote with double quotation marks.
Examples
“I just spoke with Raymond, and he said, ‘There’s no way we’re going to do that drive in a jeep. Get us an RV or I’m stayin’ home.’ ”Josephine thought of her mother’s parting words: “My darling, there’s an old saying that goes something like ‘There’s nothing wrong with good night unless it means good-bye.’ We will see each other again before this is over.”
Note that when a single quotation mark and a double quotation start or end a sentence together, the single and double marks are separated by a space to support legibility.
When a sentence with a quote within a quote includes a question mark or an exclamation mark, punctuation follows logic according to the text to which such punctuation belongs.
Examples
“Why are you asking me ‘where is the mustard’?”
“Tyrell keeps asking us ‘where is the mustard?’ ”“But you already said, ‘We’ll be home at eight’!”
“I asked Hunter about that, and he replied, ‘I’ll be home at eight!’ ”
Observe also that in American English, punctuation such as commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks go inside quotation marks.
When content is treated as a block quotation instead of closed in quotation marks, the double marks are dropped from the primary quotation. Quoted matter within the block quotation is then enclosed in double quotation marks, not single quotation marks.
Example Not Block Quote
The news anchor interjected: “Certainly you saw the audience erupt when the candidate said, ‘I promise you annual rebates on your property taxes.’ ”
Example Block Quote
The news anchor interjected:
Certainly you saw the audience erupt when the candidate said, “I promise you rebates on your property taxes.”
On a related note, if you are including a pull quote in an article, AP advises to use single rather than double quotation marks.
Single Quotation Mark Examples: Headlines
When quoted matter appears in a headline, we use single quotation marks rather than double quotation marks. This includes references to the titles of works such as songs and short stories.
Examples
Ozzy: We’re Off the Rails on a ‘Crazy Train’Economist Says Market a ‘Shooting Star’
Subject Speaks of ‘Metamorphosis’-Like Hallucinations
(GrammarBook note: “Metamorphosis” is a short story by Franz Kafka.)
When Not to Use Single Quotation Marks
One common source of confusion with single quotation marks concerns whether they should be used to identify or emphasize special terms or other expressions that stand apart from standard usage.
For example, how do we punctuate the following?
I just spoke with my buddy, the IRS agent assigned to my audit.
Stanley is scoring so many points that his teammates are starting to call him Stanimal.
At this real estate firm, that contract is what we call a dealio.
Such unusual terms are enclosed in double quotation marks, not single marks:
I just spoke with my “buddy,” the IRS agent assigned to my audit.
Stanley is scoring so many points that his teammates are starting to call him “Stanimal.”
At this real estate firm, that contract is what we call a “dealio.”
After the first emphasized reference, the quotation marks are not necessary.
Related Topics
Quotation Marks | Rules and Examples
Quotations Within Quotations
Quotation Marks for Emphasis
Pop Quiz
Determine if single quotation marks are being used correctly (yes or no) in the following sentences. If not, correct the punctuation.
1. [Headline] Ringo Promises ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’
2. Did Hannah really just refer to the amusement ride as ‘totally tubular’?
3. “Remember what Kennedy said: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.’ ”
4. ‘ “Cringey,” I was told Brian said. Then, as if he wasn’t confusing them enough, he kept asking Felix’s parents if they “can hang.” ’
5. “Please, whatever you do, don’t say ‘I won’t pay you’!”
Pop Quiz Answers
1. [Headline] Ringo Promises ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ Yes
2. Did Hannah really just refer to the amusement ride as ‘totally tubular’? No
Correct: Did Hannah really just refer to the amusement ride as “totally tubular”?
3. “Remember what Kennedy said: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.’ ” Yes
4. ‘ “Cringey,” I was told Brian said. Then, as if he wasn’t confusing them enough, he kept asking Felix’s parents if they “can hang.” ’ No
Correct: ” ‘Cringey,’ I was told Brian said. Then, as if he wasn’t confusing them enough, he kept asking Felix’s parents if they ‘can hang.’ ”
5. “Please, whatever you do, don’t say ‘I won’t pay you’!” Yes
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
The use of single quotation marks is interesting in regard to different contexts (American vs British English, Block Quotations, and even in traditional literature). As Americans, we tend to learn about quotation marks in a single way, through double apostrophes. Following that, we then learn to use single quotations in quotes-inside-quotes. These rules are then followed throughout our lives with no changes.
However, when I look at old European literature (Dracula, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde), single quotes often get used. This is because, according to an answer on StackExchange, in regard to the question “Why do American and British English use different quotation marks?”: “The British preference for single quote marks in novels is simply because novels often have a lot of reported speech. Why clutter the page up with twice as many of the ubiquitous little ticks (StackExchange, 2013)?”
By reported speech, the speaker is referring to quotations-within-quotations, that often occur in literary works.
This also shows up in block quotations. Actual quotes-within-quotes get put into double quotation marks while a single quote has no quotes. (Presumably, the single quotes are assumed to exist.)
Are my observations correct? I would love to hear your feedback.
We address the differences between American and British punctuation in our post American vs. British English: Punctuation. The examples you site of European authors confirms one of the differences.
In regard to the reason for the differences, you may wish to consult an authoritative site specializing in the history of punctuation.
For information on punctuation with quotations within quotations, see our post Quotations Within Quotations.
When to use a single quotation mark has always been interesting to me as to whether I have correctly placed the mark . I will always remember that the period, question mark, etc. go inside the quotation mark. Commas being correctly placed, when to use colons, etc., I struggle to understand their use.
Example:
Please place the following items on the kitchen floor when purchased: mops; brooms; pail; liquid soap.
It’s important to properly write English.
What happens when you place a single quotation mark and forget to place the other to finish that quote? Could a reader misinterpret what was said without the ending quote placement?
As the post indicates, single quotation marks are used for quotations within quotations. Leaving out any of the quotation marks could cause confusion. See our post Quotations Within Quotations.
What I really liked about this blog post is it shows examples of where the quotation/single quotation marks go and really explains where the marks go in a sentence. For example, in the section “Single Quotation Mark Examples: Headlines,” it clearly says that we should use single quotation marks only for headlines, not double quotation marks.
Our post Punctuation in a Quote says, “When both the quoted text and the full sentence are questions, enclose the question mark within the quoted text.” Therefore, a second question mark is never used.