Where To Put Question Mark After Quote
When it comes to punctuating a quote, it can be confusing to know where to put the question mark. Do you put it inside the quotation marks or outside? This article will provide some guidance on where to put the question mark after a quote.
Inside the Quotation Marks
One common rule for punctuation is to place the question mark inside the quotation marks when the quote is a question. For example:
"What time is it?" she asked.
In this example, the question mark is placed inside the quotation marks because the quote is a question.
Outside the Quotation Marks
However, there are situations where the question mark should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example:
Did he really say "I love you"?
In this example, the question mark is placed outside the quotation marks because the entire sentence is a question, not just the quote.
When to Use a Comma Instead
There are also situations where a comma is used instead of a question mark. For example:
"Can you pass the salt," he asked.
In this example, a comma is used instead of a question mark because the quote is part of a larger sentence that is a question.
Quoting Multiple Sentences
If you are quoting multiple sentences, you should place the question mark inside the quotation marks if the quote is a question that ends the sentence. For example:
"What time is it?" she asked. "I need to leave soon."
In this example, the question mark is placed inside the quotation marks because the quote is a question that ends the sentence.
However, if the quote is not a question that ends the sentence, the question mark should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example:
"I love you," he said. "Do you love me?"
In this example, the question mark is placed outside the quotation marks because the second sentence is a question that ends the sentence.
Conclusion
Knowing where to put the question mark after a quote can be confusing, but following these guidelines can help make it easier. Remember to place the question mark inside the quotation marks if the quote is a question, and outside the quotation marks if the entire sentence is a question. If you are quoting multiple sentences, place the question mark inside the quotation marks if the quote is a question that ends the sentence.