Does The Period Go Before Or After Quotation Marks

Does the Period Go Before or After Quotation Marks? A Definitive Guide

The seemingly simple question of punctuation within quotation marks sparks endless debate. Where exactly does that period, comma, or other punctuation mark belong? Before the closing quotation mark? After? The answer, unfortunately, isn't a simple "always this" or "always that." It depends on your style guide. This comprehensive guide will delve into the nuances of this punctuation puzzle, explore the major style guides, and provide clear examples to help you master this often-misunderstood aspect of grammar.

The Great Punctuation Debate: British vs. American Style

The core of the confusion lies in the differing conventions followed by American and British English. These style differences extend to many aspects of punctuation, but the placement of periods, commas, and other terminal punctuation within quotation marks is a particularly noticeable divergence.

American Style: The Period (and other terminal punctuation) Goes Inside the Quotation Marks

American style guides, predominantly those following the Chicago Manual of Style and Associated Press Stylebook, prescribe placing periods, commas, colons, semicolons, and question marks inside the closing quotation mark, regardless of whether the punctuation applies to the quoted material or the sentence as a whole.

Examples:

• Correct (American): He said, "I'll be there at 8 o'clock."
• Incorrect (American): He said, "I'll be there at 8 o'clock".
• Correct (American): She exclaimed, "What a beautiful day!"; then she smiled.
• Correct (American): Did he really say, "I'm never going back"?

This rule holds true even if the quoted material itself forms a complete sentence. The period is placed inside the quotation marks to maintain the sentence structure within the American style.

British Style: Punctuation Placement Depends on Context

British style, as outlined in the New Oxford Style Manual, offers a more nuanced approach. The placement of terminal punctuation depends on whether the punctuation relates to the quoted material or the main sentence.

• If the quoted material is a complete sentence: the punctuation goes inside the closing quotation marks.

Example:

• Correct (British): He said, "The meeting is over."

• If the quoted material is not a complete sentence or is part of a larger sentence: the punctuation goes outside the closing quotation marks.

Examples:

• Correct (British): She asked, "Where are you going?"
• Correct (British): He said "No" and left.

This distinction can be confusing but leads to a more logical punctuation system in complex sentences.

Major Style Guides and Their Rules

To avoid ambiguity, always adhere to the style guide specified by your publication, institution, or teacher. Let's examine the rules of some major style guides:

1. Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS): Inside the Quotation Marks

CMOS, a widely respected style guide, firmly supports placing periods, commas, colons, semicolons, and question marks inside the quotation marks in American English. This rule applies consistently, regardless of the sentence structure within the quotation. This is considered the standard for American academic writing.

2. Associated Press Stylebook (AP): Inside the Quotation Marks

The AP Stylebook, used extensively in journalism, follows a similar convention to CMOS. Periods, commas, and other terminal punctuation are placed inside the quotation marks. The clarity and brevity preferred in journalistic writing make this a consistent and straightforward approach.

3. New Oxford Style Manual: Contextual Approach

The New Oxford Style Manual embraces the contextual approach described earlier. Punctuation placement depends on whether the quotation itself is a complete sentence. If it is, the punctuation goes inside; if not, it goes outside. This approach is common in British English and offers a more flexible, yet potentially more complex, system.

4. MLA Handbook: Largely Consistent with American Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) handbook largely adheres to the American style, placing most terminal punctuation inside the closing quotation marks. However, it provides exceptions for specific cases, such as when dealing with block quotations.

Other Punctuation Marks: A Detailed Look

While the placement of periods is the most common point of contention, other punctuation marks also require attention. Let's examine their placement according to the American and British styles:

Commas:

• American: "Let's go," she said.
• British: "Let's go," she said. (Often the same, but context determines placement in complex sentences)

Colons and Semicolons:

• American: He said, "The meeting will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m."; however, many arrived late.
• British: He said, "The meeting will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m."; however, many arrived late. (Often the same)

Question Marks and Exclamation Points:

The placement of question marks and exclamation points depends on context, mirroring the British style's contextual approach even in American style.

• If the quotation itself is a question or exclamation: The mark goes inside the closing quotation marks.

  • American: She asked, "Where are you going?"
  • British: She asked, "Where are you going?"

• If the quotation is embedded in a question or exclamation: The mark goes outside the closing quotation marks.

  • American: Did he say, "I'm leaving"?
  • British: Did he say, "I'm leaving"?

Avoiding Ambiguity: Best Practices

Regardless of the style guide you follow, clarity is paramount. Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretations. Here are some best practices to avoid confusion:

• Consistency is key: Choose a style guide and stick to it consistently throughout your writing.
• Context matters: Pay attention to the sentence structure and the relationship between the quotation and the surrounding text.
• When in doubt, err on the side of clarity: If the placement of punctuation is unclear, rewrite the sentence to eliminate the ambiguity. Sometimes, a slight rewording can solve the punctuation problem entirely.
• Proofread carefully: Before submitting your work, carefully proofread to ensure you've applied your chosen style consistently.

Conclusion: Embrace Consistency and Clarity

The debate over period placement within quotation marks highlights the complexities of English punctuation. While the American and British styles differ, the overarching principle remains consistency and clarity. By understanding the nuances of each style guide and applying them consistently, you can avoid ambiguity and produce well-punctuated, professional-quality writing. Remember, clarity trumps rigid adherence to a single rule when the result is a more easily understood sentence. Choosing a style guide and sticking with it is the best way to guarantee consistency and accuracy in your writing.