Single or Double Quotation Marks

Have you ever found yourself happily reading an article, book, essay, or anything, really, whether in print or digital, and suddenly your eyeballs are assaulted by—brace yourself—a single quotation mark, when it should be a double (or vice versa)? The horror!

I’m telling you, folks, my eyes are not only assaulted (which is bad enough), they are insulted!

Now I’ve been pulled right out of my blissful little world of reading into a harsh reality.

Why are so many writers lost in a quote quandary? How does this get past the editing stage? (Oh, oh, that’s another can of wriggling, niggling English irritations better left for another day.)

Animated Angry Eyes with Animated Quotation Marks

Let’s bring some light to this quotation night.

American and British Flags

American or British English

First, we must decide whether we are using American English or British English in the piece we are writing.

Each has its own rules for using single and double quotation marks.

There are more rules on this subject than can be addressed in this short piece. Here are three of the most common.

American Flag with Animated Quotation Marks

American English

1. Direct Speech
  • Use double quotation marks for direct speech.

Example: Hannah said, “I think violet is the prettiest colour in the world.”

2. Quoting within a Quote
  • Use double quotation marks for the main quote.
  • Use single quotation marks for a quote within the main quote.

Example: Billy said, “Al told me, ‘Jay will be late,’ and the drinks are at the bar.”

3. Titles of Short Works
  • Use double quotation marks for titles of short works such as articles, essays, short stories, poems, and songs.

Example: “August” is one of Taylor Swift’s most popular songs.

  • Bonus: Titles of long-form works, like stage plays, books, and films, use italics.

Example: Gone with the Wind is considered a film classic.

British Flag with Animated Quotation Marks

British English

1. Direct Speech
  • Use single quotation marks for direct speech.

Example: Jim said, ‘There is a full moon with a clear sky tonight.’

2. Quoting within a Quote
  • Use single quotation marks for the main quote.
  • Use double quotation marks for a quote within the main quote.

Example: Tammy said, ‘Betty swore to me, “I promise I told the truth,” and I believe her.’

3. Titles of Short Works
  • Use single quotation marks for titles of short works such as articles, essays, short stories, poems, and songs.

Example: ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ is one of the Beatles’ most popular songs.

  • Bonus: Titles of long-form works, like stage plays, books, and films, use italics.

Example: Oliver Twist is a novel written by Charles Dickens.

It is important to note that these are general guidelines addressing common instances of use; there may be variations or exceptions in specific contexts or publications. I urge you to refer to the style guide or manual prescribed by the relevant institution, publisher, or organization for the most accurate and consistent use of quotation marks.

Congratulations! You have banished quote quandary!

End Notes

All images © T’Lara Joy Freedom using Canva.
Sources: The Chicago Manual of Style, (17th ed.) Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017; Editing Canadian English, (3rd ed.) Toronto: Editor’s Association of Canada, 2015.

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