Ending A Sentence With A Quote Period
Quotation marks are an essential part of writing, and they serve several purposes. They are used to indicate direct speech, to indicate the titles of books, movies, and songs, and to indicate a word or phrase that is being used in a non-literal sense. One question that often arises when using quotation marks is whether or not a sentence should end with a quote period. In this article, we will explore this question and provide some guidelines for using quotation marks in your writing.
What is a Quote Period?
A quote period is simply a period that appears at the end of a sentence that is within quotation marks. For example, consider the following sentence:
"I'm sorry," she said.
In this sentence, the quote period appears after the word "said." It indicates the end of the sentence that was spoken by the character in the story.
Should You End a Sentence With a Quote Period?
Whether or not you should end a sentence with a quote period depends on the context of your writing. In general, if the sentence within the quotation marks is a complete sentence and is not part of a larger sentence, then you should end it with a quote period. For example:
"I love ice cream," she said.
In this sentence, the quote period appears after the word "said" because the sentence within the quotation marks is a complete sentence that stands on its own.
However, if the sentence within the quotation marks is not a complete sentence, or if it is part of a larger sentence, then you should not end it with a quote period. For example:
"I love ice cream," she said, "but I'm lactose intolerant."
In this sentence, the quote period appears after the word "intolerant" because the sentence within the quotation marks is not a complete sentence. It is part of a larger sentence that includes additional information after the second set of quotation marks.
When to Use Commas and Periods With Quotation Marks
In addition to quote periods, you may also need to use commas and periods with quotation marks in your writing. Here are some general guidelines:
- Use a comma to separate a speaker's words from the rest of the sentence. For example: "I'm sorry," she said.
- Use a period to end a sentence that is within quotation marks. For example: "I'm sorry," she said.
- Use a question mark or exclamation point if the sentence within the quotation marks is a question or an exclamation. For example: "What's your name?" he asked. "I can't believe it!" she exclaimed.
- If the sentence within the quotation marks is a complete sentence and is part of a larger sentence, use a comma before the quotation marks and a period after the quote period. For example: She said, "I love ice cream."
Conclusion
Ending a sentence with a quote period is a common practice in writing, but it is important to use it correctly. In general, you should end a sentence with a quote period if the sentence within the quotation marks is a complete sentence that stands on its own. However, if the sentence is not a complete sentence or is part of a larger sentence, you should not end it with a quote period. By following these guidelines, you can use quotation marks effectively in your writing and avoid common errors.