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Examples

Follow the steps in each example to determine whether the quotation marks are used correctly or whether the sentence needs to be revised.

  1. The defendant in the trial gave his testimony yesterday. According to one reporter, "The defendant repeatedly screamed, 'I didn't do it!' as he was led out of the courtroom."

    Step 1. The quotation inside the quotation is 'I didn't do it!'
    Step 2. Single quotation marks are used, so the punctuation is correct.

  2. Another reporter, who was granted an exclusive interview with the defendant's attorney, told us that "The attorney repeatedly answered 'No comment' to questions about his client's whereabouts on the night of the crime."

    Step 1. The quotation inside the quotation is 'No comment.'
    Step 2. Single quotation marks are used, so the punctuation is correct.

  3. A recent statement issued by the prosecutor said, "We are adopting a "wait and see" strategy."

    Step 1. The quotation within a quotation is "wait and see."
    Step 2. The double quotation marks on "wait and see" need to be changed to single quotation marks: 'wait and see.'

  4. According to one expert witness, "The so-called "Prozac defense" doesn't apply in this case."

    Step 1. The quotation within a quotation is "Prozac defense."
    Step 2. The double quotation marks on "Prozac defense" need to be changed to single quotation marks: 'Prozac defense.'

  5. At one point, the judge warned, "If I have to say "Order" one more time, I'm going to clear the courtroom of spectators."

    Step 1. The quotation inside another quotation is "Order."
    Step 2. The double quotation marks around "Order" need to be changed to single quotation marks: 'Order.'






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