Order of Operations- Do Quotations Precede or Follow Punctuation in Writing-

Do quotations come before or after punctuation? This is a common question that often confuses writers and editors alike. Understanding the correct placement of punctuation marks within or around quotations is essential for maintaining clarity and proper grammar in written communication.

In the English language, the placement of punctuation marks in relation to quotations depends on various factors, including the type of punctuation and the context in which it is used. Generally, punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons are placed inside the quotation marks when they are part of the quoted material. On the other hand, punctuation marks like question marks, exclamation points, and quotation marks themselves are placed outside the quotation marks when they are not part of the quoted text.

For instance, if you are quoting a sentence from a source, you would place the period inside the quotation marks, like this: “This is a complete sentence.” In this case, the period is part of the quoted material. However, if you were to ask a question within a quotation, you would place the question mark outside the quotation marks: “Do you think this is a good idea?” Here, the question mark is not part of the quoted material but is used to frame the question.

Another important aspect to consider is the placement of commas and periods. When a quoted sentence is a complete sentence and ends with a period, comma, or semicolon, the punctuation mark is placed inside the quotation marks. For example: “She said, ‘I will finish this project by Friday.'”

However, if a quoted sentence is part of a longer sentence, the punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks. For instance: “She said she would finish the project by Friday.”

In cases where the quotation is a question or an exclamation, the punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, as previously mentioned. For example: “What are you doing here?” or “This is amazing!”

In conclusion, the placement of quotations in relation to punctuation is a matter of proper grammar and clarity. Understanding the rules for different types of punctuation and their appropriate placement within or around quotations can help writers and editors ensure their written work is both grammatically correct and easy to understand. The key is to remember that punctuation marks are typically placed inside quotation marks when they are part of the quoted material and outside the quotation marks when they are used to frame the quotation or are not part of the quoted text.