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Pastimes : SI Grammar and Spelling Lab
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To: E who wrote (2545)5/22/1999 12:52:00 PM
From: jbe   of 4711
 
The last (alas!) word on the proper placement of quotation marks (before or after the comma/period).

From Charles Darling's online "Guide to Grammar and Writing" (emphasis my own):

In the United States, periods and commas go inside quotation marks regardless of logic. Click HERE for an explanation (sort of).

In the United Kingdom, Canada, and islands under the influence of British education, punctuation around quotation marks is more apt to follow logic. Thus, in American style, you would write: My favorite poem is Robert Frost's "Design." But marks other than periods and commas follow the logic that the quotation marks accompany the text being quoted. Thus, you would write: What do you think of Robert Frost's "Design"? AND I love "Design"; however, my favorite poem is "Birches."

webster.commnet.edu

BTW, If you DO "click here" for an explanation (sort of), all you get is a punctuation quiz. What a disappointment!

Well, at least Darling admits that the "British system" (which I have been following when NOT writing for publication) is more logical!! But I suppose it's time to abandon ship on this particular voyage. :-(

The Darling guide is a great resource, incidentally. And there are others. Perhaps we should post a list of them. Any suggestions?

Joan

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