# quotation marks

CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quotation-marks
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

the punctuation symbols used to show the exact words someone said or wrote. In English, these look like small pairs of marks (' ' or " ") around a sentence.

For teachers: a pair of punctuation marks used to indicate the beginning and end of a quotation or to highlight a specific term or title. Usually appears as double marks in American English or single marks in British English.

## Examples

- Remember to put quotation marks around the speaker's words.
- The student lost points on the essay because they forgot to use quotation marks when citing the textbook.
- In academic writing, quotation marks are essential for distinguishing between the author's own analysis and the specific evidentiary phrases borrowed from external sources.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She said 'I am tired." but "She said, 'I am tired.'" — Learners often forget to close the quotation marks or fail to include the final punctuation mark inside them.

## Usage notes

- Always used as a pair; the plural form takes a plural verb agreement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.