Does A Period Come After Quotation Marks

Does a Period Come After Quotation Marks? A Comprehensive Guide to Punctuation

The seemingly simple question of where to place a period in relation to quotation marks is a surprisingly common source of confusion. This comprehensive guide will delve into the nuances of punctuation surrounding quotations, clarifying the rules and exceptions, and helping you confidently punctuate your writing. We'll explore both American and British English conventions, ensuring you're equipped to handle any writing style.

Understanding the Basics: American vs. British Styles

The placement of periods (and other terminal punctuation marks like question marks and exclamation points) relative to quotation marks differs significantly between American English (AmE) and British English (BrE). Understanding these differences is crucial for consistent and accurate writing.

American English (AmE) Style:

In AmE, periods and commas always go inside the closing quotation marks, regardless of whether the quotation is a complete sentence or a fragment.

Example:

• "The cat sat on the mat," she said.
• He yelled, "Look out!"

British English (BrE) Style:

In BrE, the placement of punctuation depends on whether the quotation is a complete sentence or a fragment.

• Complete sentence: The period goes outside the closing quotation marks.
• Sentence fragment: The period goes inside the closing quotation marks.

Examples:

• Complete sentence: She said, "The cat sat on the mat".
• Sentence fragment: He yelled, "Look out!"

Beyond Periods: Handling Other Terminal Punctuation

While periods are the most frequent punctuation mark encountered with quotations, understanding how to handle other terminal punctuation – question marks and exclamation points – is equally important. The rules vary slightly depending on the style guide and the context.

Question Marks and Exclamation Points: AmE

In AmE style, the placement of question marks and exclamation points depends on the context:

• If the quotation itself is a question or exclamation: The question mark or exclamation point goes inside the closing quotation marks.
• If the entire sentence containing the quotation is a question or exclamation: The question mark or exclamation point goes outside the closing quotation marks.

Examples:

• Quotation is a question: He asked, "Where are you going?"
• Sentence is a question: Did she say, "I'm leaving soon"?
• Quotation is an exclamation: She shouted, "Look out!"
• Sentence is an exclamation: What a great quote, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do!"

Question Marks and Exclamation Points: BrE

BrE style generally follows a similar logic to its period placement rules:

• Complete sentence question/exclamation: The question mark or exclamation point goes outside the closing quotation marks.
• Sentence fragment question/exclamation: The question mark or exclamation point goes inside the closing quotation marks.

Examples:

• Complete sentence question: Did she say, "The cat sat on the mat"?
• Sentence fragment question: He asked, "Where are you going?"
• Complete sentence exclamation: She declared, "I'm never doing that again"!
• Sentence fragment exclamation: She yelled, "Look out!"

Dealing with Quotations Within Quotations (Nested Quotations)

When you have quotations within quotations (nested quotations), you’ll need to use different types of quotation marks to distinguish between the levels. Typically, single quotation marks (' ') are used for the inner quotation, while double quotation marks (" ") are used for the outer quotation. The placement of punctuation remains consistent with the rules described above, but you need to pay close attention to the level of the quotation.

Example (AmE):

He said, "She told me, 'I'm going to the park,' but I didn't believe her."

Example (BrE):

He said, "She told me, 'I'm going to the park', but I didn't believe her".

Colons and Semicolons with Quotations

The placement of colons and semicolons in relation to quotation marks is generally consistent across both AmE and BrE: they always go outside the closing quotation marks.

Examples:

• AmE: He said, "The meeting is over"; then he left.
• BrE: He said, "The meeting is over"; then he left.

Ellipses and Quotations

When using ellipses (...) within a quotation to indicate omitted words, the ellipses are placed inside the quotation marks. If the ellipsis indicates an omission at the end of the quotation, it's placed before the closing quotation mark (AmE) or after the closing quotation mark (BrE, for complete sentences).

Examples:

• AmE: He said, "The quick brown fox...jumps over the lazy dog."
• BrE (complete sentence): He said, "The quick brown fox... jumps over the lazy dog".
• BrE (incomplete sentence): He said, "The quick brown fox..."

Parentheses and Brackets with Quotations

Parentheses and brackets generally follow the same rules as colons and semicolons: they go outside the closing quotation marks unless they are part of the quoted material itself.

Examples:

• "The meeting is canceled (due to unforeseen circumstances)," she announced.

The Importance of Consistency and Style Guides

Maintaining consistency in your punctuation is key to clear and professional writing. Choosing a style guide (such as the Chicago Manual of Style, the MLA Handbook, or the AP Stylebook) and adhering to its rules will help ensure consistency throughout your work. Different style guides may have slight variations in their recommendations, so it's important to be aware of these differences and choose a guide that's appropriate for your context.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Several common mistakes arise when punctuating quotations. Here are some frequent errors and how to avoid them:

• Inconsistent punctuation: Mix and matching AmE and BrE styles is a common error. Choose a style and stick to it.
• Misplacing commas: Remember the AmE rule of placing commas inside the quotation marks.
• Incorrect placement of question marks and exclamation points: Carefully consider whether the quotation itself or the sentence containing the quotation is the question or exclamation.
• Incorrect handling of nested quotations: Make sure you use single and double quotation marks correctly.

Practical Applications and Examples

Let's look at some more examples to solidify your understanding:

AmE Examples:

• "I'm going to the store," she said, "to buy milk."
• He asked, "What time is it?"
• She exclaimed, "That's amazing!"
• "The meeting will begin at 2:00 PM," the email stated; however, it was delayed.

BrE Examples:

• She said, "I'm going to the store" to buy milk.
• He asked, "What time is it"?
• She exclaimed, "That's amazing"!
• "The meeting will begin at 2:00 PM"; however, it was delayed.

Conclusion: Master the Art of Quotation Punctuation

Mastering the art of punctuation with quotations involves understanding the nuanced differences between AmE and BrE styles and consistently applying the rules for periods, commas, question marks, exclamation points, and other punctuation marks. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide and choosing a consistent style guide, you can ensure your writing is clear, accurate, and professional. Remember to always proofread your work carefully to catch any errors and maintain a polished final product. The ability to correctly punctuate quotations demonstrates attention to detail and enhances the overall credibility of your writing.