Using Quotation Marks. The “smart” way

Quotation marks, inverted commas and apostrophes may seem like a relatively basic form of punctuation. However, you might not know it, but you could well be using them incorrectly. Today let’s take a quick look at how and when to use them correctly, as well as when we shouldn’t use them.

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Definition

Quotation Mark
noun
Each of a set of punctuation marks, single (‘ ’) or double (“ ”), used either to mark the beginning and end of a title or quoted passage, or to indicate that a word or phrase is regarded as slang or jargon or is being discussed rather than used within the sentence.
There are several different types of what we commonly recognise as “quotation marks”. Let’s take a look at some common terminology, conceptions and misconceptions.

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Curly Quotes

Curly quotes (sometimes called “smart quotes”) are the correct way of using quotation marks and apostrophes. They should always be used in all forms professional writing and design, that goes for both double and single formats.

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Straight Quotes

Straight quotes (sometimes called “dumb quotes”) are never correct in any format. The only time they should be used is in when dealing with code, in which they are required for markup. Typographically speaking, straight quotes are usually considered “primes” which are used in measurements.

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How To Use Quotation Marks Correctly

In English writing, both single (‘ ’) and double (“ ”) quotation marks are correct when used to denote speech. However, it’s generally accepted that ‘single’ quotation marks refer to a phrase or topic being discussed, while “double” marks denote actual speech.

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As speech or quotation marks

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Speech within speech or quotations

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In topic or phrase referral

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To indicate irony

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As apostrophes

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As block-quotes

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How To Use Primes and Straight Quotes

The use of straight quotes as quotation marks was first introduced on typewriters to reduce the number of keys on the keyboard, and were inherited by computer keyboards and character sets. However there is a difference between Primes and Straight Quotes. Primes are usually angled straight lines used in measurements and coordinates, straight quotes are used in code.

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Straight quotes in code and mark up

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Primes in measurements

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Primes in coordinates

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Typeface Considerations

Not all typefaces render quotation marks and primes the same way and many typefaces may omit curly quotes altogether. Similarly, some typefaces may not have the appropriate prime glyphs and will not render anything.

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Different typefaces will render quotation marks differently.

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Another source of confusion is how some typefaces render their quotation marks. In some (mostly sans serif) fonts, curly quotes render as angled lines, which may look like primes but are infact curly quotes. The example below shows this.

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Keyboard and Web Usages

Unfortunately, many improper marks are used as defaults in applications and CMSs. Coupled with the various ways that different fonts render punctuation, this can make it difficult to ensure you‘re using the correct marks. Fortunately, using correct quotation marks and apostrophes today is easier than you may think.

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Further Reading

Quotation Marks – Wikipedia
Smart Quotes For Smart People

Punctuation – Oxford Dictionary

quotesandaccents.com

International variation in quotation marks

Quotation mark glyphs – Wikipedia