Single vs Double Quotation Marks | Usage and Examples

Do you know? There are 14 punctuation marks in English. Each punctuation mark serves a different function, such as to convey a message, clarify sentence structure, and indicate pauses. However, the one that is used to quote dialogues, direct speech, quotations, and phrases in the literature is called quotation marks. It is the most frequently used punctuation mark, but it is significantly confusing to use in writing. 

Whether you read a book, novel, academic paper, script, or transcript, quotation marks are predominantly used. They significantly help the author to give credit to the original source by mentioning the exact words. If you want to know how to use quotation marks efficiently, you’re in the right place. This blog discusses quotation marks, their types, usage, differences, general guidelines, and benefits. 

What are Quotation Marks?

Quotation marks are punctuation marks (‘’) and (“”) that are widely used to enclose direct speech, quotes, titles, and phrases of particular works. They help to signal different phrases or quotations in a specific text. They significantly help the reader to distinguish information taken from other sources. Here are the two types of quotation marks: 

• Double Quotation Marks

Double quotation marks are standard in American English to quote a dialogue said by someone in the exact words. They also help to quote movie titles, names, book titles, and characters. 

For example, my teacher said, “You must work hard to achieve your desired grades”. 

• Single Quotation Marks 

Single quotation marks are standard in British English to quote something said in exact words. However, in American English, they are used to quoting words within a quote. 

For example, Margaret called and said, ‘I’ll be there by 6’.

When should you use double quotation marks?

Here are the different scenarios on when you should use double quotation marks: 

• To Quote Direct Speech and Quotations

Double quotation marks effortlessly quote direct speech and quotations within a particular text. Their use is most prevalent in American English. 

For example, my friend said, “I have a black Versace jacket.” 

• To Quote Something From Published Work

Sometimes, double quotation marks are also used to cite information from interviews, books, articles, and speeches. Here’s how you can cite an article using double quotation marks:

This article states, “The new policy aims to reduce carbon footprint by 30%.”

• To Quote Titles of Different Literary Works

Double quotation marks are also used to quote titles of different words, such as films, books, TV shows, songs, and poems. Here are the examples:

• My favourite poem is “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. 
• I love the episode “The One with Ross’s Wedding.” 

• To Emphasise a Particular Word in the Sentence

Sometimes, different words are indicated in the sentences using double quotation marks. It helps to show their significance. 

For example, here, the word “Habitat” means their crackhouse. 

• To Indicate a Term For Sarcasm and Irony

Double quotation marks are used variously in the dialogues and phrases for mockery and sarcasm to indicate a particular term. 

For example, thank you for your “expert” opinion. I am myself well. 

When should you use single quotation marks?

Explore these scenarios to understand when to use single quotation marks: 

• To Quote Something Within a Quotation 

Single quotation marks are widely used in American English to quote something within a quotation. They indicate how a character cites another character’s dialogue. Here is an example: 

This article states, “According to the scientist, ‘This discovery is revolutionary’”. 

• To Quote Direct Speech in British English

Single quotation marks are commonly used in British English to quote direct speech and quotations. Moreover, double quotation marks are used to quote within a quotation. Here are the examples: 

• Jennifer said, ‘I have started my English language classes’. 
• The newspaper reported, ‘The Prime Minister called it “a historic event”’. 

• To Quote Titles of Publications in British English

Double quotation marks are used in American English to quote the titles of books, songs, movies, TV shows and poems, while single quotation marks are used in British English. 

For example, I watched ‘Back Swan’ last night, and I am in love with Natalie Portman. 

• To Indicate a Particular Term in British English

Just as double quotation marks are used in American English to demonstrate some particular words in the text, single quotation marks are used in British English.

For example, the word ‘blue’ in this verse means melancholy. 

• To Use Scare Quotes in British English

Quotation marks are essential to drop a clue of disdain or mockery in a sentence. As you know, double quotation marks are used in American English, so in British English, single quotation marks are used.

For example, his ‘advice’ was utterly useless. 

Differences Between Single and Double Quotation Marks

Here are the key differences between single and double quotation marks: 

General Guidelines For Using Single and Double Quotation Marks

Here are the different guidelines that you must adhere to while using single and double quotation marks: 

Benefits of Using Quotation Marks

Here are the different benefits of using quotation marks: 

• They help to clarify direct speech 

The main benefit of using quotation marks is that they clarify direct speech. If you write a direct speech or a particular quote or phrase without any quotation mark, the text will look absurd. Moreover, people will not be able to understand the data and information that you have presented. 

• They indicate titles of short works

As quotation marks are helpful in pointing out the direct speech, they are also invaluable in indicating the titles of short works, such as articles, poems, short stories, and chapters. For instance, the reader efficiently understands the context when a poem or short story is quoted. 

• They highlight quoted material

Citations and referencing are integral to journalism, research, and academic writing. They help writers mention the source from which the information is inspired or taken. Quotation marks effortlessly allow them to emphasise a particular book, article, journal, or magazine. 

• They help to emphasise specific words

Quotation marks are also immensely helpful in emphasising specific works in literary texts. Sometimes, when an author is discussing a particular phenomenon for the second time, instead of repeating the entire theory, they just enclose a significant word related to that theory. 

• They help signal irony or sarcasm 

Quotation marks also significantly help signal ironic or sarcastic remarks in the literature. You might have seen on various occasions, two people talking and curving their middle and pointy fingers downward of both hands on a particular word to show their disdain or humour. 

Frequently Asked Questions