Use quotation marks, also called inverted commas, to indicate direct quotations and definitions.
As in the examples above, punctuation should be placed according to the meaning: if it belongs to the quotation, it is quoted; otherwise, it is not.
We recommend using double marks for a quotation and single marks for a quotation within a quotation.
Quotations of over four lines in length should be set off from the text as a block quotation, not enclosed in quotation marks, and single-spaced. Quoted matter within the block quotation is set off with double quotation marks; quotations within these quotations, with single quotation marks.
Single quotation marks can also help show the reader that a word or term is used in an unusual, colloquial or ironic way.
Also, use quotation marks for titles of chapters in books, articles in periodicals, and TV and radio programmes.
 | Before bestowing the award, the Rector said, “Dr Robinson’s efforts to oppose discrimination place him among the few who actually deserve such an honour.” |
| According to this dictionary, a methodology is “a body of methods, rules and postulates employed by a discipline”. |
As in the examples above, punctuation should be placed according to the meaning: if it belongs to the quotation, it is quoted; otherwise, it is not.
| According to the Dean, “The need for structural change is paramount.” |
| The Dean declared that the need for structural change was “paramount”. |
We recommend using double marks for a quotation and single marks for a quotation within a quotation.
| “His office door is very unusual; it has ‘Welcome’ written all over it in over thirty different languages.” |
Quotations of over four lines in length should be set off from the text as a block quotation, not enclosed in quotation marks, and single-spaced. Quoted matter within the block quotation is set off with double quotation marks; quotations within these quotations, with single quotation marks.
Single quotation marks can also help show the reader that a word or term is used in an unusual, colloquial or ironic way.
| Nature somehow ‘knows’ the best environmental course to take. |
| The students felt ‘ripped off’ by the lecturer’s decision to hold the exam a week earlier than scheduled. |
| That lecturer is famous for sharing her ‘wisdom’ with her students. |
Also, use quotation marks for titles of chapters in books, articles in periodicals, and TV and radio programmes.
Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics
Darrera actualització: 23-4-2024
Recommended citation:
«Quotation marks» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2310> [consulta: 18 desembre 2024].
