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When to Use Quotation Marks: A Complete Guide

Quotation marks are important signals to a reader and always work in pairs. Quotation marks signify when words are taken from another source, indicate dialogue and can indicate emphasis.

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Introduction

Our text compare tool is a fantastic, lightweight tool that provides plagiarism checks between two documents. Whether you are a student, blogger or publisher, this tool offers a great solution to detect and compare similarities between any two pieces of text. In this article, I will discuss the different ways to use the tool, the primary features of the tool and who this tool is for. There is an FAQ at the bottom if you run into any issues when trying to use the tool.

What makes Originality.ai’s text comparison tool stand out?

Keyword density helper – This tool comes with a built-in keyword density helper in some ways similar to the likes of SurferSEO or MarketMuse the difference being, ours is free! This feature shows the user the frequency of single or two word keywords in a document, meaning you can easily compare an article you have written against a competitor to see the major differences in keyword densities. This is especially useful for SEO’s who are looking to optimize their blog content for search engines and improve the blog’s visibility.

Ways to compare

File compare – Text comparison between files is a breeze with our tool. Simply select the files you would like to compare, hit “Upload” and our tool will automatically insert the content into the text area, then simply hit “Compare” and let our tool show you where the differences in the text are. By uploading a file, you can still check the keyword density in your content.

URL compare

Comparing text between URLs is effortless with our tool. Simply paste the URL you would like to get the content from (in our example we use a fantastic blog post by Sherice Jacob found here) hit “Submit URL” and our tool will automatically retrieve the contents of the page and paste it into the text area, then simply click “Compare” and let our tool highlight the difference between the URLs. This feature is especially useful for checking keyword density between pages!

Simple text compare

You can also easily compare text by copying and pasting it into each field, as demonstrated below.

Features of Originality.ai’s Text Compare Tool

Ease of use

Our text compare tool is created with the user in mind, it is designed to be accessible to everyone. Our tool allows users to upload files or enter a URL to extract text, this along with the lightweight design ensures a seamless experience. The interface is simple and straightforward, making it easy for users to compare text and detect the diff.

Multiple text file format support

Our tool provides support for a variety of different text files and microsoft word formats including pdf file, .docx, .odt, .doc, and .txt, giving users the ability to compare text from different sources with ease. This makes it a great solution for students, bloggers, and publishers who are looking for file comparison in different formats.

Protects intellectual property

Our text comparison tool helps you protect your intellectual property and helps prevent plagiarism. This tool provides an accurate comparison of texts, making it easy to ensure that your work is original and not copied from other sources. Our tool is a valuable resource for anyone looking to maintain the originality of their content.

User Data Privacy

Our text compare tool is secure and protects user data privacy. No data is ever saved to the tool, the users’ text is only scanned and pasted into the tool’s text area. This makes certain that users can use our tool with confidence, knowing their data is safe and secure.

Compatibility

Our text comparison tool is designed to work seamlessly across all size devices, ensuring maximum compatibility no matter your screen size. Whether you are using a large desktop monitor, a small laptop, a tablet or a smartphone, this tool adjusts to your screen size. This means that users can compare texts and detect the diff anywhere without the need for specialized hardware or software. This level of accessibility makes it an ideal solution for students or bloggers who value the originality of their work and need to compare text online anywhere at any time.

Quotation marks have several applications in writing, and one rule that always applies to their every use is that they are used in pairs. A single quotation mark can’t work alone because quotation marks enclose things between them. 

Get insight into the different types of quotation marks and when to use them in your writing.

Then, conveniently review your writing for proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation with the Originality.ai Grammar Checker.

Types of Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are also referred to as quote marks, quotes, or speech marks. There are two types of quotation marks: 

  • Double quotation marks: The most commonly used quotation marks; these look like a double set of two inverted commas (“ ”). 
  • Single quotation marks: These are used in very specific situations and look like a double set of one inverted comma (‘ ’).

The grammar rules below call for a set of double quotation marks (“ ”). When one requires a set of single quotation marks (‘ ’), it will be indicated. 

Opening and closing quotation marks

The first quotation mark in a set is called the opening quotation mark and signifies the beginning of the quotation

The last quotation mark is called the closing quotation mark and indicates the end of the quotation

If you are using a curly font, the opening quotation mark curves with its opening to the right. The closing quotation mark curves with its opening to the left. 

Direct Quotations  

A direct quote is when you quote exact words verbatim. To signal that a statement, in whole or in part, is attributable to another source, a writer uses quotation marks to enclose the words. The source, however, goes outside the quotation marks. 

Fully quoted statements

In these examples, the entirety of a statement is quoted. The original source of the words is also part of the statement and lies outside the quotation marks. 

Examples of fully quoted statements in a sentence: 

  • The label on the can said, “Best Before: June 2025.”
  • She read the report, which said, “The marketing campaign exceeded expectations.”

Partially quoted statements

If you want to use a part of a long statement as a quotation, you can paraphrase the statement and put the part you are drawing attention to in quotation marks.

Examples of partially quoted statements in a sentence: 

  • The label on the can spoke of being “Best Before” this June.
  • The report said that the latest campaign from the marketing department “exceeded expectations.”

Quotation Within a Quotation

What if you want to use a statement as a quotation, but that quotation already has quoted words within it? 

This situation exemplifies why we have single quotation marks (‘ ’). 

  • Double quotation marks will surround the whole passage you are quoting. 
  • Then, you can use single quotation marks to quote the quoted statement within it. 

Doubling up on single and double quotes can get a little messy and cause some odd-looking end punctuation. 

Sometimes, it’s just tidier to paraphrase, reword, and eliminate the single quotations if you don’t absolutely need them.

Example of an original text with a quotation in it:

I remember a friend saying, “It was very sunny this winter.”

Using that original text as a quotation:

Did you say, “I remember a friend saying, ‘It was very sunny this winter.’”? 

Paraphrasing the original text: 

Did you say you remembered a friend saying, “It was very sunny this winter?”

Dialogue

Dialogue uses quotation marks, also called speech marks, in just the same way a direct quote uses them. However, instead of a source to attribute the quotation to, you will have a dialogue tag to indicate who is saying the words and how they are saying them. 

  • The spoken words go within the quotation marks. 
  • The dialogue tag stays outside.

Examples of quotation marks in dialogue:

  • “Don’t go. We haven’t read the report yet,” she said.
  • She inquired again, “When will we read the report?”

Using Quotations to Draw Attention or Emphasis

When quotation marks draw attention to a word, term, or phrase, they might also be called scare quotes, shudder quotes, or sneer quotes. These terms are used to call attention to a word (or distance a writer from it) and its supposed meaning or intended use. 

They can be effective when used carefully but shouldn’t be overused.

Examples of quotations used to draw emphasis:

  • The magazines called the outfit “whimsical.” The fashion design team didn’t agree.
  • I was “volunteered” to join the party planning committee. 

Quotations in the Titles of Works

Depending on the editorial style guide used by your organization, you might put titles of work, such as books, movies, works of art, plays and songs, in quotation marks or italics. 

If you use AP style, for instance, titles of works are put in quotation marks:

Examples of quotation marks to indicate a title:

  • I just finished reading Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
  • I went to see the “Mona Lisa” at the art gallery yesterday, it was beautiful!

AP is a news-based style that can differ from academic and book guidelines. Consult your organization’s style guide to confirm when to use quotation marks in the titles of works.

How to Use Quotation Marks With Punctuation

No matter what editorial style you follow, English grammar rules describe how to handle the use of quotation marks in combination with other punctuation. 

Quotation marks and periods 

When the end of the quotation is also the end of a sentence, put the period inside the closing quotation mark. This rule is easy to remember because there are no exceptions. 

Example of a quotation mark with a period at the end of a sentence:

  • She read the report, which said, “The marketing campaign exceeded expectations.”

Quotation marks and commas

Commas and quotation marks are most often seen in dialogue. 

The comma always goes inside the closing quotation mark when the dialogue tag follows

If the dialogue tag precedes the quotation or dialogue, then the comma goes before the opening quotation mark

Examples of where to use commas with quotation marks:

  • “Don’t go. We haven’t read the report yet,” she stated.
  • “Wait. Take this gift,” she offered.
  • She asked inquisitively, “Is it going to be sunny today?”

Note that when the quotation precedes the dialogue tag, the comma not only goes inside the closing quote mark but also replaces the period that would have otherwise ended that quotation. 

Quotation marks, exclamation points, and question marks

The way question marks and exclamation points work with quotation marks depends on how much of the sentence it relates to or modifies. 

If a question mark (?) or exclamation point (!) is part of the quotation it goes inside the closing quotation mark.

However, there are scenarios where it goes outside of the quotation marks. 

For example, you are writing a sentence where the entire sentence is the question or the exclamation. In this case, add the punctuation outside the quotation marks.

Examples of quotation marks and exclamation points:

  • Exclamation mark inside the quotation mark
    • She stated with emphasis, “It’s going to be sunny all week!”
  • Question mark outside the quotation mark
    • Did they hear about the marketing campaign results, and that it “exceeded expectations”?

How to use quotation marks with colons and semicolons

If you are writing a sentence that includes quotation marks and colons, or semicolons, put the punctuation outside the closing quotation marks.

Examples of quotation marks with colons or semicolons:

  • The recipe is supposedly “easy”: it has 42 steps. 
  • They have a unique view of “early”; don’t expect them to arrive before noon.

Quotation marks with single quotation marks

As mentioned above, sometimes you may encounter a quotation within a passage you are using as a quotation. In this situation, place the single quotation mark on the inside and the double quotation mark on the outside. Keep in mind, that there’s no additional space between the single and double quotation marks. 

Example of quotation marks with single quotation marks:

Did you say, “I remember a friend saying, ‘The skiing was excellent this winter.’”?

Final Thoughts

Quotation marks have many uses and are important signposts to the reader. Remember that they always work in pairs; pay attention to the end punctuation, and you’re on your way!

Are you wondering if you’ve included quotation marks correctly in your writing? Review your content with the Originality.ai Grammar Checker!

Then, get tips and grammar best practices in our top guides:

Melissa Fanella

Melissa Fanella is a writer, editor, and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in content and messaging for businesses and nonprofits. Her expertise is in crafting authentic, people-first content that is compelling and engaging for audiences and positioned for business goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to check for plagiarism?

Tools for conducting a plagiarism check between two documents online are important as it helps to ensure the originality and authenticity of written work. Plagiarism undermines the value of professional and educational institutions, as well as the integrity of the authors who write articles. By checking for plagiarism, you can ensure the work that you produce is original or properly attributed to the original author. This helps prevent the distribution of copied and misrepresented information.

What is Text Comparison?

Text comparison is the process of taking two or more pieces of text and comparing them to see if there are any similarities, differences and/or plagiarism. The objective of a text comparison is to see if one of the texts has been copied or paraphrased from another text. This text compare tool for plagiarism check between two documents has been built to help you streamline that process by finding the discrepancies with ease.

How do Text Comparison Tools Work?

Text comparison tools work by analyzing and comparing the contents of two or more text documents to find similarities and differences between them. This is typically done by breaking the texts down into smaller units such as sentences or phrases, and then calculating a similarity score based on the number of identical or nearly identical units. The comparison may be based on the exact wording of the text, or it may take into account synonyms and other variations in language. The results of the comparison are usually presented in the form of a report or visual representation, highlighting the similarities and differences between the texts.

String comparison is a fundamental operation in text comparison tools that involves comparing two sequences of characters to determine if they are identical or not. This comparison can be done at the character level or at a higher level, such as the word or sentence level.

The most basic form of string comparison is the equality test, where the two strings are compared character by character and a Boolean result indicating whether they are equal or not is returned. More sophisticated string comparison algorithms use heuristics and statistical models to determine the similarity between two strings, even if they are not exactly the same. These algorithms often use techniques such as edit distance, which measures the minimum number of operations (such as insertions, deletions, and substitutions) required to transform one string into another.

Another common technique for string comparison is n-gram analysis, where the strings are divided into overlapping sequences of characters (n-grams) and the frequency of each n-gram is compared between the two strings. This allows for a more nuanced comparison that takes into account partial similarities, rather than just exact matches.

String comparison is a crucial component of text comparison tools, as it forms the basis for determining the similarities and differences between texts. The results of the string comparison can then be used to generate a report or visual representation of the similarities and differences between the texts.

What is Syntax Highlighting?

Syntax highlighting is a feature of text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) that helps to visually distinguish different elements of a code or markup language. It does this by coloring different elements of the code, such as keywords, variables, functions, and operators, based on a predefined set of rules.

The purpose of syntax highlighting is to make the code easier to read and understand, by drawing attention to the different elements and their structure. For example, keywords may be colored in a different hue to emphasize their importance, while comments or strings may be colored differently to distinguish them from the code itself. This helps to make the code more readable, reducing the cognitive load of the reader and making it easier to identify potential syntax errors.

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