What can inverted commas be used for?

Inverted commas are punctuation marks that are used in writing to show where speech or a quotation begins and ends. Inverted commas are also sometimes used around the titles of books, plays, or songs, or around a word or phrase that is being discussed.

What speech does not use inverted commas?

Direct speech within direct speech As we saw above, the rule in American English is to use double quotation marks for direct speech. The exception is when a piece of direct speech is quoted within another piece of direct speech, in which case the internal quote should use single quotation marks.

Does direct speech need inverted commas?

When you are writing, inverted commas or speech marks go before and after direct speech, surrounding what was said. “I’m hungry,” she complained. If another character replies, use another set of inverted commas. “What’s for tea?” she asked.

What are the two situations that we use quotation marks?

Quotation Marks

• We use quotation marks with direct quotes, with titles of certain works, to imply alternate meanings, and to write words as words.
• Block quotations are not set off with quotation marks.
• The quoted text is capitalized if you’re quoting a complete sentence and not capitalized if you’re quoting a fragment.

What are single inverted commas?

Single inverted commas (in British English) are mainly used to: mark the beginning and end of direct speech (i.e. a speaker’s words written down exactly as they were spoken). EXAMPLE: ‘What time does the lecture begin?’ she asked. indicate a technical or otherwise potentially unfamiliar word.

Where are double inverted commas used?

Both (Single & Double) mean to convey “Emphasis”. Inverted commas are used for quoting something or someone’s words. Single & Double inverted commas are used while writing Direct Speech. E.g. Mary said, “I want the little Lamb.”

Which is an example of a direct quotation?

A direct quotation is a report of the exact words of an author or speaker and is placed inside quotation marks in a written work. For example, Dr. King said, “I have a dream.”

How are commas used in direct speech?

When a writer quotes a speaker’s words exactly as they were spoken, this is known as direct speech. If the piece of direct speech comes after the information about who is speaking, you need to use a comma to introduce the direct speech. The comma comes before the first quotation mark.

What punctuation marks are used in direct speech?

Direct speech is a sentence in which the exact words spoken are reproduced in speech marks (also known as quotation marks or inverted commas). For example: “You’ll never guess what I’ve just seen!” said Sam, excitedly.

What are direct quotations example?

Do commas go inside quotation marks?

Put commas and periods within quotation marks, except when a parenthetical reference follows. He said, “I may forget your name, but I never forget a face.” Place the punctuation outside the closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the whole sentence.

Why are double inverted commas used?

Inverted Commas / Quotation Marks: Also known as speech marks or quotes, inverted commas could be a single or double mark-‘z’ or “z”. These are mainly used to mark a speaker’s speech or a quote by a famous personality.

How to use commas in indirect speech?

ii) In Indirect Speech: Inverted commas are not used but the reported speech is generally introduced by the conjunction “that”. The comma separating the reporting verb from the reported speech is removed.

When do you use inverted commas in a sentence?

We also use the inverted commas to mark a significant word or phrase in a sentence. We call this phenomenon “the water-cycle”. One of Michael Jackson’s hit songs is called “Billy Jean.” 3. When a case like the above two appears between a direct speech, we use the single inverted commas.

Is there a comma between reporting and reported speech?

Inverted commas are not used but the reported speech is generally introduced by the conjunction “that”. The comma separating the reporting verb from the reported speech is removed. The tense of the reporting verb is never changed. The question mark and the mark of exclamation are not used.

Do Americans use single style or double style inverted commas?

As have been seen in general, the ‘single style’ inverted commas are commonly used by UK natives as opposed to Americans. Apart from that, they are also used within the “double style” inverted commas.