Period Or Comma At End Of Quote
When writing, it is important to follow the rules of grammar to ensure clear and effective communication. One area of grammar that often causes confusion is whether to use a period or comma at the end of a quote. In this article, we will explore the rules surrounding this grammar issue and provide examples to help you better understand.
Period at End of Quote
When a quote is a complete sentence, it should always end with a period. For example:
"I love pizza," said Sarah.
In this example, the quote "I love pizza" is a complete sentence, so it ends with a period. The period is placed inside the quotation marks because it is part of the quote.
Another example:
"The early bird catches the worm," said John.
In this example, the quote "The early bird catches the worm" is also a complete sentence, so it ends with a period.
Comma at End of Quote
When a quote is not a complete sentence, it should end with a comma. For example:
"I love pizza," Sarah said, "but I also love tacos."
In this example, the quote "I love pizza" is not a complete sentence, so it ends with a comma. The next part of the quote, "but I also love tacos," is a complete sentence, so it ends with a period.
Another example:
"The early bird catches the worm," John said, "but the second mouse gets the cheese."
In this example, the quote "The early bird catches the worm" is not a complete sentence, so it ends with a comma. The next part of the quote, "but the second mouse gets the cheese," is a complete sentence, so it ends with a period.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are some exceptions to the rule of using a period or comma at the end of a quote. For example, if a quote is interrupted by another sentence or clause, the first part of the quote should end with a comma instead of a period. For example:
"I love pizza," Sarah said, "it's my favorite food."
In this example, the quote "I love pizza" is interrupted by the clause "it's my favorite food," so it ends with a comma instead of a period.
Another exception is when using a question mark or exclamation point at the end of a quote. If the quote itself is a question or exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point should be placed inside the quotation marks, and no additional punctuation is needed. For example:
"What time is it?" asked John.
"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Sarah.
If the quote is not a question or exclamation, but the sentence as a whole is, the question mark or exclamation point should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example:
Did John really say, "I love pizza"?
I can't believe Sarah exclaimed, "I can't believe it!"
Conclusion
Knowing whether to use a period or comma at the end of a quote is important for clear and effective communication. Remember to use a period if the quote is a complete sentence, a comma if it is not, and to use exceptions when necessary. By following these rules, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand.
