Where To Put A Question Mark In A Quote
Quoting is an essential part of writing. Whether you are writing a research paper, an essay, or an article, you will most likely use quotes to support your arguments or provide evidence for your claims. However, when quoting someone, you might wonder where to put the question mark if the quote ends with a question. This article will guide you on where to put a question mark in a quote.
What is a Quote?
A quote is a passage or statement that is taken directly from a source such as a book, article, or speech. Quoting is the act of using someone else's words in your writing. When quoting, you need to use quotation marks to indicate that the words are not your own. You also need to cite the source of the quote.
For example, if you were quoting a sentence from a book, you would write:
"The sun is shining," said John.
The quotation marks indicate that the words are not your own, and the attribution ("said John") indicates the source of the quote.
Where to Put a Question Mark in a Quote?
If the quote you are using ends with a question, you need to decide whether the question mark belongs inside or outside the quotation marks. The answer depends on whether the question mark is part of the quote or part of your sentence.
If the question mark is part of the quote, it belongs inside the quotation marks. For example:
"What time is it?" asked Mary.
In this case, the question mark is part of the quote, and it belongs inside the quotation marks.
If the question mark is not part of the quote but is part of your sentence, it belongs outside the quotation marks. For example:
Mary asked, "What time is it"?
In this case, the question mark is not part of the quote but is part of your sentence, and it belongs outside the quotation marks.
What If the Quote Includes a Statement and a Question?
Sometimes, a quote may include both a statement and a question. In this case, you need to decide where to put the question mark based on whether the question is part of the quote or not.
If the question is part of the quote, you should place the question mark inside the quotation marks. For example:
"I wonder what time it is," said Mary.
In this case, the question is part of the quote, and the question mark belongs inside the quotation marks.
If the question is not part of the quote but is part of your sentence, you should place the question mark outside the quotation marks. For example:
Mary said, "I wonder what time it is"?
In this case, the question is not part of the quote but is part of your sentence, and the question mark belongs outside the quotation marks.
Conclusion
Quoting is an important aspect of writing, and knowing where to put a question mark in a quote is crucial for proper punctuation. Remember that if the question mark is part of the quote, it belongs inside the quotation marks, and if it is not part of the quote but is part of your sentence, it belongs outside the quotation marks. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and properly punctuated.