Grammar Study Guide: Quotations

A direct quotation gives a speaker's exact words. Set off exact words using quotation marks. Begin each quotation with a capital letter. Place end punctuation marks, like periods, question marks, and exclamation marks, inside the quotation marks.

Examples: "Why haven't you finished that yet?"
"Because I just got home, that's why!"

Use commas inside the quotation marks to separate quotations from the rest of the sentence. The only time you don't do this is if you are using a period, question mark, or exclamation mark; compare the first two examples below. Remember to begin each quotation with a capital letter, unless the quotation is interrupted by the name of the speaker, as in the third example below.

Examples: At dinner, I asked, "Would you pass the salt, please?"
"Would you pass the salt, please?" I asked at dinner.
"Well, certainly," my mother replied, "since you asked so politely."
"There may be hope for him yet," my father remarked.

If a quotation is two sentences, use a period after the speaker's name, and be sure to start the second quotation with a capital letter.

Example: "I'd really like to go," I said. "I just have to get my parent's permission first."

Do not use quotations with indirect quotations.

Example: My mom said I could go if I finished all my chores first.