FAQ: When to use a single quotation mark?

What is the difference between single and double quotation marks?

In common usage, there may be a distinction between the single and double quotation marks in this context; often, single quotation marks are used to embrace single characters, while double quotation marks enclose whole words or phrases[.]

When should single quotes be used?

One writer recommends using single quotes to clearly differentiate between the words of a “a real or fictional entity” and those of “the author of the surrounding text.” A user of the forum Quora writes, “I use ‘scare’ quotes”, to acknowledge that the word is not my own.

When should we use single quote and double quote?

If you use single quotation marks, then you should use double quotation marks for a quote within a quote. If you use double quotation marks, then you should use single quotation marks for a quote within a quote.

What is a single quote called?

Quotation marks can be used in two styles; single (‘ ‘ or ‘) or double (“ ” or “), and can also appear in two different typefaces; either as so called dumb or straight quotes (‘ or “) or as smart quotes (‘ ‘ or “ ”). Read more about quotation marks at Wikipedia.

What is the sign of quotation mark?

Typing quotation marks on a computer keyboard

	Unicode point
Single opening	‘	U+2018
Single closing (& apostrophe)	‘	U+2019
Double opening	“	U+201C
Double closing	”	U+201D

Where do we use single and double inverted commas?

In British English we use single inverted commas for direct speech and double marks to enclose the quote. Example: Mr Smith said, ‘I think it was Sarah who said “It was a mistake” more than once. ‘ In American English you use single quotation marks when direct speech is quoted within another piece of direct speech.

What are single quotes used for?

The most common reason to use single quotation marks is to quote someone who is quoting someone else. The rules are different in British English, but in American English, you enclose the primary speaker’s comments in double quotation marks, and then you enclose the thing they are quoting in single quotation marks.

Can you use single quotes for emphasis?

Quotation marks around single words can occasionally be used for emphasis, but only when quoting a word or term someone else used. If a word needs to be emphasized but is not being quoted, you should avoid putting the word in quotes and use italics instead.

Where do you put quotation marks?

Quotation marks and other punctuation marks

In the United States, the rule of thumb is that commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks, and colons and semicolons (dashes as well) go outside: “There was a storm last night,” Paul said.

Should I use single or double quotes in Python?

Use single quotes

Use single–quotes for string literals, e.g. ‘my-identifier’, but use double–quotes for strings that are likely to contain single–quote characters as part of the string itself (such as error messages, or any strings containing natural language), e.g. “You’ve got an error!”.

How do you use single quotation marks?

Single quotation marks are used to indicate quotations inside of other quotations. “Jessie said, ‘Goodbye,’” Ben said. This is Ben talking, so his words go in quotation marks. But because we’re quoting Ben quoting someone else, Jessie, we use single quotation marks to indicate the quote within the quote.

Do you use double quotation marks when quoting a quote?

In American English, use double quotation marks for quotations and single quotation marks for quotations within quotations.

What are the types of quotation?

Types of quotes

• In-text quotes. An in-text quote is a short quote that fits into and completes a sentence you’ve written.
• Indirect quotes. An indirect quote is when you paraphrase ideas from a source.
• Direct quotes. A direct quote is when you take text directly from a source without changing anything.

How do you emphasize a word?

If you need to emphasize a word or a particular fact in a sentence, you can use italics to stress it. That said, italics and other font changes lose their impact if overused. It is best to use such devices sparingly and rely on strong writing and strategic word placement to get your point across.

What is this sign called in English?

British vs. American English

	British English	American English
The “! ” symbol is called	an exclamation mark	an exclamation point
The ” ( ) ” symbols are called	brackets	parentheses
The ” [ ] ” symbols are called	square brackets	brackets
The position of quotation marks	Joy means “happiness”.	Joy means “happiness.”